A Fayetteville

business has been fined $1,000 by the City Council for allowing an employee

to sell alcohol to a minor.

Chanmeet Saluja,

representing the Pit Stop #12 at 630 N. Glynn Street, accepted the fine

and a warning from council not to violate the city's alcohol ordinance

again.

The employee

who sold the alcohol also did so without being permitted to do so, according

to police. The city requires individual employees to have their own permits

to sell alcohol in addition to each store having alcohol sales permits.

Those with permits are given photo ID badges which must be worn while

working at the store, according to officials.

The violation

was discovered when the Fayetteville Police Department sent an undercover

officer into the store to attempt to buy alcohol in late February. The

officer bought a six-pack of beer from the employee, according to a memo

from Police Chief Johnny Roberts, and the transaction was videotaped.

Saluja said

the employee who made the sale will be transferred to another store in

the company. While store employees were given handbooks outlining how

to handle alcohol sales, Saluja admitted that management personnel never

"went over" those regulations with employees personally.

"We don't

go over it, we just hand it to them," Saluja said. "But we tell

them we don't sell to underage (customers)."

Councilman

Glenn Brewer recommended that management inform their employees of the

company's policy verbally to avoid any future problems.

"It's

in your best interest," said councilman Walt White. "I don't

think you want to come before us next time."

The handbook

informs the employees not to accept excuses from customers who claim not

to have their ID card with them, Saluja said.

Back

to News Home Page |