Police Panel Begins Hearings on Nightclub : Alcohol: City accuses FM Station Live of selling drinks to intoxicated patrons. Similar charges filed by the state last year are pending.

The Los Angeles Police Commission began hearings Monday into whether a popular North Hollywood nightclub served drunk patrons and sold drinks after legal hours, which follows a separate action launched against the club by state authorities.

Ten city charges of violating state nightclub regulations were made against Filthy McNasty’s FM Station Live, at Lankershim and Victory boulevards, following an undercover police investigation, said Iris Martin, a commission officer.

“There were arrests on three occasions,” Martin said.

On Dec. 6, 1990, two waitresses were arrested when officers observed them selling alcohol to patrons who were already intoxicated, Martin said.

Ten days later officers arrested two waitresses and a bartender for the same violation and for selling alcohol after-hours, Martin said.

The owner of the club, Filthy McNasty--who authorities said has legally adopted that name--was arrested that day and again Jan. 12, when he and two waitresses sold alcohol to intoxicated patrons, Martin said.

The bar also faces one count of obstructing a police officer stemming from the Dec. 16 investigation.

“A waitress attempted to pick up some beer that had been served after-hours,” although the officers needed it as evidence, Martin said.

The California Business and Professions Code allows alcohol to be served until 2 a.m. and prohibits the serving of alcohol to patrons who are intoxicated, Martin said.

Ivan Halperin, an attorney representing the nightclub, could not be reached for comment.

Martin said at least two more hearing dates have been scheduled during July for the commission to hear evidence against the club.

The club will then present its case.

If the allegations are found to be true, the club could lose its pool room and dance hall permits, or the permits could be suspended or revoked pending the outcome of the hearings, Martin said.

The state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control filed a separate administrative action against the club last year for the same type of liquor-related violations that occurred last summer, Jim Smith, an ABC district administrator, said.

The cases are pending.

If the allegations are found to be true or if the club owners admit to the charges, the club’s license could be suspended or revoked, he said.

Smith said he had recommended that the club’s liquor license be suspended for at least 60 days, instead of allowing the owners to pay a fine.

“The place is developing a pattern of violations . . . allowing these people to pay fines is not getting the point across,” Smith said.

The club has been fined and put on probation by the ABC for at least seven other violations that ranged from selling alcohol on a public sidewalk in 1989, to sex discrimination in 1983, Smith said.

“They would have male exotic dancers and they would only let females in,” he said.

In June, 1981, the club was cited for “their male dancers exposing buttocks and pubic hair,” Smith said.

He said the club was then placed on a year’s probation.

The club is owned by McNasty Brothers Inc., comprised of Filthy and Wolfgang McNasty, Smith said.