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Star Deli & Liquor found in violation of county record-keeping rules; board fines licensee $1,000
Summary
After a three-inspection audit, the Caroline County Board of License Commissioners found Star Deli & Liquor in violation of county and state alcohol record-keeping rules on three counts, levied a $1,000 fine plus a $50 administrative fee, and ordered procedures for possible return of seized inventory if pre-inspection invoices are provided.
The Caroline County Board of License Commissioners on Jan. 20 found Star Deli & Liquor in Greensboro guilty on three counts related to inadequate records for alcoholic beverages following inspections in November 2025, and imposed a $1,000 civil penalty and a $50 administrative fee.
The board read four charges into the record, including alleged breaches of the Maryland Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article recordkeeping provisions and three county rules requiring license holders to maintain complete transaction records on premises for two years. The board’s inspector presented seizure receipts, photographs and a packet of invoices and inventory comparisons after inspections conducted Nov. 1, Nov. 6 and Nov. 11, 2025.
“The packet contained a list of bulk transfer inventory items and a breakdown of food and alcohol sales, but no distributor invoices for alcoholic beverages,” the inspector told the board while explaining the evidence gathered. The inspector said several items in the store could not be matched to purchase records provided at the time of inspection and documented items for confiscation when receipts were missing.
Defense counsel raised procedural and jurisdictional objections, arguing certified-service and bulk-transfer questions and asking the board to consider whether some issues were the Alcohol, Tobacco and Cannabis Commission’s responsibility. The board treated those objections as part of the record and allowed argument; after deliberation, commissioners concluded the evidence supported violations of the recordkeeping and premises-presence rules but did not show that the business had illegally purchased alcohol from unauthorized sources.
The board therefore found the licensee guilty of charges 1–3 (record keeping and maintaining records on the licensed premises) and not guilty on charge 4 (unauthorized purchase). Commissioners voted to assess a total fine of $1,000 for the three sustained violations, plus a $50 administrative fee, payable within 30 days. The board noted it had given the licensee repeated opportunities (three inspections and follow-ups) to produce records before seizing items.
The board also addressed the seized inventory stored in evidence. Commissioners said items that can be substantiated with dated invoices that predate the inspections may be returned to the licensee after the administrative process is complete and any appeal rights are exhausted or waived. If the licensee pays the fine and provides acceptable documentation, the inspector will coordinate return of verified items; items without proof will remain dispossessed pending further action.
The board’s written decision and all exhibits will be included in the official letter to be mailed to the licensee. The licensee was advised of a 30-day appeal right under county procedures.
The board moved to recess and then proceed according to its schedule for notice and enforcement.
