ABC BOARD GIVES ERNIE BIGGS A BREAK

 

ERNIE BIGGS IN THE LITTLE ROCK RIVER MARKET

 We posted a story back in July about serious problems at Ernie Biggs in Little Rock and how the ABC Board appeared to be afraid to take action against the sketchy piano bar and nightclub. CLICK TO VIEW POST

In April, Ernie Biggs was fined $2,200.00, placed on six-month probation and ordered to have its alcohol permit suspended for two weeks for three December 2015 violations.

This past Wednesday the ABC Board gave Ernie Biggs a huge break and reduced the two week suspension period that ABC Administrative Director Bud Roberts had assessed them to just two days.

The bar paid the fine but disputed the suspension at the monthly ABC Board Meeting.

THE ARKANSAS ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL BOARD

The most serious incident involved a bouncer throwing a 21-year-old customer Brandon Griffin from the bar, knocking him unconscious. Board members reviewed footage showing Brandon Griffin being pushed out of the front doors, striking his head on the ground and lying still on the pavement while his friends crowded around him.

Daniel Bryant, who manages Ernie Biggs, told board members he was "very surprised" by the bouncer's actions, adding he violated the bar staff's training and was fired immediately.

 

DANIEL BRYANT (ON RIGHT)

Bryant took responsibility for those violations, saying the bouncer, who is typically posted at the front door, started to bus a few tables during a lull. While he was clearing those tables, a group of people came in including the under-aged person, and "he just missed them," Bryant said.

Bryant also said the two-week suspension would shrink the bar's customer base and harm employees, adding patronage had already decreased since the April meeting when the penalties were announced.

Ernie Biggs has beefed up security since then, Bryant said. Two law enforcement officers told the board that Little Rock police have a good working relationship with the bar, especially when confiscating fake IDs. 

We are sure that Ernie Biggs has comped these fine officers admission and some other perks for their support.

Members voted 4 to 1 to cut the suspension from two weeks to just two days after reviewing details of what transpired at the club.  Chairwoman Janet Moore was the lone holdout for reducing the suspension period. She told Bryant, "You're saying [the bouncer is a] 'rogue employee.' But I'm still looking at you."

ABC BOARD CHAIRWOMAN JANET MOORE IS KEEPING HER EYE ON ERNIE BIGGS

ABC Board member Mickey Powell voted in favor of shortening the suspension, but warned Bryant about the dangers of over-serving and not being vigilant about checking identification in the future.

ABC BOARD MEMBER MICKEY POWELL HAS SAGE ADVICE FOR ERNIE BIGGS

"There are plenty of places in the state of Arkansas you can get your teeth knocked out," Powell said. "We don't need more of them."

This is not the first time that Ernie Biggs has been in trouble with the ABC and most certainly will not be the last.

One of the most publicized incidents of Ernie Biggs permitting under-aged individuals to party at their establishment happened back in 2008 when a 20 year old Darren McFadden (UAF - Razorback football star) and his 17 year old brother were allowed to enter in spite of ABC and Department of Health prohibitions and got into a fight that spilled out onto the street.

McFadden was a Heisman Trophy runner-up at the time and you know the bouncer and other Biggs employees had to recognize him.  CLICK TO READ ARTICLE ABOUT MCFADDEN FIGHT AT ERNIE BIGGS
  

                                             ************
 
We attempted to reach tainted ABC Enforcement Director Boyce Hamlet for a comment but he has been out of the office due to the birth of a son.