ABC EXPECTED TO RUBBER STAMP APPLICATION OF THE GOVERNOR'S NEPHEW EVEN WITH BOGUS MEMBERSHIP LIST

JEREMY HUTCHINSON 

State Senator Jeremy Hutchinson (R) self-proclaimed coward, adulterer and nephew of Gov. Asa Hutchinson wants to open an exclusive members only club at the site of the old Packet House Grill.

THE PACKET HOUSE GRILL. VACANT SINCE MARCH 2014, WAS MOST RECENTLY USED TO FILM A SCENE IN THE UPCOMING MOVIE GOD'S NOT DEAD 2 FEATURING THE LATE FRED THOMPSON.

Hutchinson and two investment bankers, Mark Camp and Rod Damon plant to open a "private supper club", to be named the 1836 Club (the year Arkansas became a state).  The club will operate as an exclusive members only establishment, including a restaurant and a second-floor humidor room for cigar smoking. God only knows what will take place on the third floor in the private "offices".   The club membership would be limited to 300, with a $250 a month membership fee for individuals and $1,000 for companies.  Incoming members would have to be nominated and approved. At this time the club has approximately 132 members and they all appear to be white.

CLICK TO VIEW THE MEMBERSHIP ROSTER

CLICK TO VIEW THE PERMIT APPLICATION

CLICK TO VIEW FILING WITH ARK SECRETARY OF STATE 

The Little Rock Planning Commission approved a rezoning request (disregarding objections of next door neighbor Dillard's)  and approval is need from the the Little Rock Board of Directors and the ABC.

 CLICK FOR PLANNING COMMISSION FILE

One wonders how such an establishment would "promote public convenience and advantage" (as required for approval by ABC Rules and Regulations Section 1.33 (5), when access to the establishment would be limited to only 300 individuals, and not the public in general.

Hutchinson was the subject of an Ethics Commission Complaint (self-reported by Hutchinson to avoid criminal charges - this guy is incredible) were he was found to have violated Arkansas laws in taking campaign funds as personal income.

CLICK TO READ AN ARKANSAS TIMES STORY ABOUT THE ETHICS ISSUE

According to information in another Arkansas Times story Hutchinson has contacted Graham Sloan, director of the Ethics Commission to attempt to avoid further problems with the Ethics Commission as he wants to used his club to entertain state officials and legislators.

As the Arkansas Times article points out:

"Hutchinson was ready for my question about the nexus of politics and entertainment, with the Capitol dome visible from the restaurant. He's been talking to Graham Sloan, director of the state Ethics Commission, about the knotty issue of entertaining legislators. Actually, it's not so knotty. They can't be wined and dine by lobbyists. The larger question is whether they can pay their own tabs as a guest without still being seen as having been conferred a benefit of admission to a private club. That could mean an additional charge. The matter is up in the air for now."

Hutchinson plans on making the club a shrine to the carpetbaggers  that built the Packet House and settled in that part of Little Rock. That alone is reason enough to make this a terrible idea.

Plainly speaking, Hutchinson wants to open a highly selective, white members only private club where he, special interests groups and lobbyist's can wine, dine and "entertain" state officials and legislators outside the public's watchful eye.  Bad idea, illegal idea.

We provided the permit application to the Arkansas Times and they published a story about the list.  One of the individuals whose name appeared on the list as a member contacted the Arkansas Times and said that she had no knowledge of the club.  If they provided a bogus membership list to the ABC, what other false and misleading information did they provide? Hutchinson contacted the Arkansas Times that it was a "potential" membership list. Look at the forms for yourself, the words "MEMBERSHIP LIST" not "POTENTIAL MEMBERSHIP LIST" appear at the top of each page.

Why would Hutchinson include a bogus membership list (the ABC Rules & Regulations don't require one)? To give the false appearance that there is an interest by the public for such a club and that the directors of the club received applications from these individuals and voted to let them in the club.  Public interest and convenience is the main consideration for approval of an ABC permit, even if the ABC or no state law defines what that is. Can you say arbitrary and capricious?

Interesting side notes: Damon is married to the ex-wife of Camp.  Maybe this site will be the new home for the infamous "toga parties" for Central Arkansas socialites that used to take place in area hotels until stopped by then Sheriff Tommy Robinson. 

Hutchinson, Damon and Camp all have a history of not paying taxes which is documented by the filing of liens by the Department of Finance and Administration with the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk. Hutchinson even had his law license suspended in 2013 for non-payment of fees. Non-payment of fees and taxes can cause an ABC alcohol permit to be pulled.  Good luck with that.

According the the published Rules and Regulations of the ABC, Section 1.20 (5)(A), states that applicants must be of "good moral character".  No one would argue that adultery, cowardice and failure to pay taxes are qualities that comprise "good moral character". 

In Subtitle G of the ABC Rules and Regulations it clearly states that a permit can be denied or revoked if an applicant failed to pay taxes when due (an indicator of future behavior - once a deadbeat, always a deadbeat), gives false information or statements (bogus membership list) and fails to possess qualifications required  ("good moral character").

The ABC Board has previously denied and even pulled permits issued by the ABC when they found fraudulent information was provided in an application.  Will they deny this one or pull it if it has been approved? Extremely doubtful as all the board members serve at the leisure of the applicant's uncle.


We know that the ABC will not dare to conduct any sort of "compliance activity" at this upper echelon establishment as the political consequences are far too great. Besides, both ABC Administration director Bud Roberts and tainted ABC Enforcement director Boyce Hamlet will no doubt receive special treatment when they are enjoying themselves at the club with other members of the good ol' boys club.

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Interesting tidbits:

Hutchinson also hold the dubious honor of being the only person in Arkansas to ever been the victim of domestic abuse via a stuffed alligator head.

Hutchinson will be in court in Pulaski County tomorrow to defend himself against a one million dollar lawsuit filed against him that deals with breach of contract and legal malpractice. Camp's son was initially his attorney until he became a public defender in Saline County.

CLICK TO VIEW COMPLAINT 

Hutchinson is one of the attorneys in a lawsuit against the ABC.
CV-15-619 - SARAH C GILDEHAUS V ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL BD

 Hutchinson was sued in February 2015 for not paying for a vehicle.

Hutchinson represented Camp in a case where he owed Citibank over $10,000.00 for a credit card debt.