56 NYC Businesses Caught Selling Booze To Underage Buyers

NEW YORK, NY — The State Liquor Authority caught more than 50 stores and bars in New York City selling booze to underage customers in a statewide crackdown last month, officials said. The 56 businesses in the five boroughs were among 200 around the state where "decoy" buyers younger than 21 were able to purchase alcohol.

The list included 30 establishments in the Bronx, 10 in Brooklyn, four in Manhattan and six each in Queens and Staten Island. The full list is available here.

"State and local law enforcement are taking proactive measures to deter underage drinking and to prevent the dangerous and potentially life-altering consequences that can come with it," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement Wednesday.

The State Liquor Authority sent investigators and underage decoys into 756 stores, bars and restaurants with liquor licenses last month. Some 556 refused to refused to sell to the minors, but the rest made illegal sales, officials said.

Businesses caught selling to minors face fines of up to $10,000 per violation and can have their licenses suspended or revoked for repeat offenses, officials said.

The Department of Motor Vehicles also busted 48 people for possessing false identification and seized 47 fake IDs upstate last month, officials said.

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