Name: Tempe bar Varsity Tavern under investigation for allegedly letting employees with COVID-19 keep working
Brand: abc15.com
SKU: abc15-com-64
Availability: OnlineOnly

critic

Tempe bar Varsity Tavern under investigation for allegedly letting employees with COVID-19 keep working

preview

Varsity Tavern in Tempe is accused of allowing infected workers to continue to come to work.12:54 PM, Jul 02, 2020TEMPE, AZ&nbsp;—&nbsp;A Tempe bar is under investigation for allegedly allowing employees who had tested positive for COVID-19 to continue working, and for violating the governor's executive order to enforce social distancing measures, the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control said Thursday.According to a news release, Varsity Tavern, a bar and restaurant in downtown Tempe, reportedly told the Arizona Department of Liquor on Wednesday that it had closed in light of the investigation. Its license has been deemed inactive, which bars them from buying or selling alcohol.John Cocca, director of the department, will seek to revoke the venue's liquor license, the news release said.Among the alleged violations:Depending on the outcome of the investigation, penalties could include suspension or revocation of the bar's liquor license, and up to $3,000 in fines per violation, according to the notice given to Varsity Tavern. The Department of Liquor then shared copies of that notice with ABC15 and other news outlets.Varsity Tavern on Mill Avenue, Tempe, has closed its doors as investigates allegations of misconduct. — AZDLLC (@AZDLLC)Because of the seriousness of the charges, anyone with information is asked to call the Department’s Investigations Division at 602-542-9062.Varsity Tavern has had its license suspended by the liquor department twice -- December 2018 and July 2019.In the 2018 incident, Varsity Tavern of allegedly serving minors alcohol.In the July 2019 agreement, Varsity Tavern had its license summarily suspended by the Department of Liquor after onto the pavement below. In that case, Varsity Tavern agreed to a $24,000 fine, among other changes.In both cases, the bar's liquor licenses were reinstated.Last week, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey issued an executive order requiring bars, gyms, movie theaters, water parks, and tubing operators, to pause their operations until July 27 in a renewed effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state, which has seen record-increased in positive cases the last few weeks.Those that defied the governor's order could have their liquor license suspended, if applicable, and/or face a fine up to $2,500, officials have said.Enforcement has also increased with local police issuing citations and the Arizona Department of Liquor summarily suspending liquor licenses of businesses allegedly in violation of the order.In June, Scottsdale police charged Riot House, a nightclub in Old Town Scottsdale, with a misdemeanor for allegedly failing to enforce social distancing or require customers or employees to wear a mask. Final warnings were also issued to eight other bars, restaurants, and nightclubs in Scottsdale.On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control summarily , who have defied the governor's order and remained open. Mountainside Fitness has for remaining open. The CEO of Mountainside Fitness has filed a lawsuit against the state believing the executive order was arbitrarily applied to certain industries.Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Varsity Tavern in Tempe is accused of allowing infected workers to continue to come to work.12:54 PM, Jul 02, 2020TEMPE, AZ&nbsp;—&nbsp;A Tempe bar is under investigation for allegedly allowing employees who had tested positive for COVID-19 to continue working, and for violating the governor's executive order to enforce social distancing measures, the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control said Thursday.According to a news release, Varsity Tavern, a bar and restaurant in downtown Tempe, reportedly told the Arizona Department of Liquor on Wednesday that it had closed in light of...

public

Josh Frigerio

JoshFrigerio

Your #1 source for #breaking news in Arizona. Join our conversation with #abc15. News tip?  share@abc15.com or call 602-685-6351

Tempe bar Varsity Tavern under investigation for allegedly letting employees with COVID-19 keep working

No article scores yet.

CRITIC REVIEWS

PUBLIC REVIEWS