Social Club Run by Alderman Shut Down

POUGHKEEPSIE – The Exempt Firemen’s Association in the City of Poughkeepsie, operated by City Alderman Christopher Petsas, has had its liquor license suspended Friday by the State Liquor Authority after its members felt it was a threat to the public. A total of 13 violations were levied against the private club.

SLA General Counsel Christopher Riano told board members on Friday that Petsas’ public position makes the case even more troublesome.

“Obviously that raises questions as to the fact that in that particular position he should be somebody where there is a significant level of public trust, which makes it even more concerning from our perspective that this individual seems to be quite involved in much of activity we see here,” Riano said.

Petsas is listed as the ABC officer in charge of compliance of the club, which has been in existence since 1933.

“The Exempt Firemen’s Association, a charitable organization that had served our community for 132 years, is very saddened by today’s actions by the State Liquor Authority’s to temporarily suspend our liquor license,” Petsas said in a statement to Mid-Hudson News. “We are eager and ready to defend our good name in the coming days and are hopeful that once we are allowed to provide for a defense of the alleged complaints that the State Liquor Authority will lift the temporary suspension.”

Ralph Coates, an officer of the club, who is a former Poughkeepsie School Board member and a State Assembly candidate, had no comment.

The liquor authority conducted an inspection of the club at 200 Mansion Street on June 29 by the Dutchess County Drug Task Force, the SLA and Poughkeepsie City Police, and based on that, plus an investigation by an undercover investigator, drug activity was observed inside the club, a Petsas was observed smoking marijuana outside the club.

A January 27 shooting death outside the social club precipitated the initial investigation because of a large, rowdy and uncooperative crowd gathered outside immediately afterwards.

Violations found during the investigation include:
* On April 5th a confidential informant purchased crack cocaine from a male inside the bathroom;
* On April 11th the confidential informant participated in an illegal dice game for money that was being run by the club’s ABC office {Petsas}, the very person responsible for compliance with the ABC law and regulations;
* On April 23rd the confidential informant purchased two bottles of Hennessy liquor for off-premises consumption; club licensees are only licensed to sell alcohol for consumption on premises. The informant also participated in an illegal dice with one of the club’s board members;
* On June 7th the informant purchased two bags of marijuana in front of the club’s ABC officer and another member and smoked marijuana on the licensed property with both the ABC officer and board member.

Poughkeepsie Common Council Chairwoman Ann Finney had no comment when contacted.