Probe of State Alcohol Control Agents Urged

Mayor Pro Tem Steve Martin has fired off a request to state Auditor Kurt Sjoberg that he investigate activities of the state’s department of Alcoholic Beverage Control in West Hollywood.

The request stems from an incident of suspected retaliation by the agency against a gay bar.

“A local bar owner organized a bus to bring people to a Silver Lake Town Hall meeting last March [protesting ABC activities],” he said. “Within days, his bar was investigated for noncompliance with ABC regulations. We’re curious whether this was just coincidence.”

ABC activities are being monitored by the state auditor.

The audit is scheduled for completion in the fall.

“This city has a large concentration of gay bars. If there is a discriminatory pattern of enforcement, as alleged, we’re going to be victim,” said Martin. “So, we wanted to step up to the plate and lend our support to the audit.”

In a recent interview, ABC Director Jay Stroh said that his agents “have been up and down the state, meeting with various groups, including gay people, and we never have had any problems. . . . I know we’ll be cleared.”