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Sevier County Beer Board affirms revocation of Taha Fayyazi, Inc. off‑premise permit after undercover sting testimony
Summary
After testimony by undercover task‑force officers and a Pigeon Forge enforcement official about underage sales, the Sevier County Beer Board unanimously affirmed the revocation of Taha Fayyazi, Inc.'s off‑premise permit. Owner Muhammad Usman Fayyazi asked for reinstatement and said he was unaware of the violations.
The Sevier County Beer Board on April 14 affirmed the revocation of the off‑premise permit for Taha Fayyazi, Inc. following testimony about an undercover operation and a separate citation in Pigeon Forge.
Officer M. Smith, a member of the undercover task force, told the board the location became part of the November 21, 2024 operation after multiple reports that the store had sold alcohol to underage patrons. Officer C. Beal said the task force was briefed before the operation. Pigeon Forge Code Enforcement Officer B. Lowe told the board a different incident at a Pigeon Forge location resulted in a $2,500 fine by the Pigeon Forge Beer Board on November 1, 2024.
Attorney David Gratz, representing Taha Fayyazi, Inc., and owner Muhammad Usman Fayyazi asked the board to reinstate the company's off‑premise permit, proposing a fine or probation as remedies. Fayyazi told the board he has operated since 2010 and runs nine other businesses; he said he learned of the revocation by letter and that he had not been made aware by staff of the prior action. Fayyazi said the stores have made changes to the register system "to combat sales to underage patrons."
County Attorney Jerry McCarter asked whether Fayyazi understood the reputation associated with the location; Fayyazi said he was now aware. After discussion, Chad Ogle moved to affirm the revocation of the off‑premise permit; Greg Houk seconded. The motion passed unanimously by show of hands.
The board did not record further mitigation or a timetable for reinstatement in the transcript. The item concluded with the board's formal affirmation of the previous revocation.
