SIMI VALLEY : State Closes VFW Post Over Violations

The Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Simi Valley was shut down and its alcohol license suspended for 10 days after investigators found an illegal poker machine on the premises and non-members being served drinks, authorities said.

The club, which had its license suspended last Tuesday, has been placed on one year’s probation, said Ed Macias, supervising investigator with the state Alcoholic Beverage Control office in Santa Barbara, which oversees Simi Valley.

It was the second time that an illegal gambling machine has been seized at the club in the 4200 block of Los Angeles Avenue, Macias said. The club was fined $500 in 1984 after a similar machine was discovered inside.

State ABC rules stipulate that the club serve only members and registered guests, Macias said.

The investigation that led to the suspension took place from March through September last year and was prompted by complaints from a “variety of sources,” Macias said. He said that because of a personnel shortage in the ABC office in Sacramento, where complaints are processed, he was unable to take disciplinary action against the post until this week.

The post’s senior vice commander, Ben Anderson, offered no explanation for the violations.

“I feel awful bad about this,” Anderson said. “We want to have good faith in the community, and we want the community to have good faith in us. I’m sure this will never occur again. Not as long as I’m here.”