While the concept of three strikes and you're out may be a critical part of the game of baseball, it really came home to roost in the world of business for a couple of local party stores and an event venue all placed into serious jeopardy by the criminal history of a stockholder and officer of the corporations that hold their liquor licenses.
Large orange suspension notices from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission have been placed on the front doors of Slosson's Liquors at 812 E. Napier Avenue in Benton Harbor, A&D Liquor Corner at 990 Pipestone and Jay's Lounge — an event venue — at 999 Pipestone in Benton Harbor. The placards warn customers that the license to sell liquor at each of those establishments has been suspended and they cannot sell any alcohol product until the signs come down.
According to a clerk at Slosson's, the prohibition on the sale of alcohol at all three is due to be lifted on December 21st, so no booze can be sold at any of those locations until that date.
The legal troubles of stockholder Ajaydeep Singh has impacted all three licensed businesses, as he is a stockholder in all three licensed corporate entities that hold the license for each. Slosson's corporate structure is Dildeepak, Inc. A&D's license is held by the same corporation, while Jay's Lounge is licensed to Ajay Petroleum, Inc.
The trouble began three years ago when, on August 22, 2013 Ajaydeep Singh was found guilty of excessive use of alcohol resulting in a charge of Operating While Intoxicated. Less than a year later, on June 6, 2014, Singh was found guilty on a domestic violence charge, and just under a year and a half after that, on October 7, 2015 he earned his third strike when found guilty of reckless use of a firearm.
On September 15th of this year, a hearing was held in Kalamazoo and settlement was negotiated and two weeks later an administrative law judge ordered fines of $300 for each of the three crimes, or a total of $900 in fines for each of the three licensed establishments as well as the license suspension.
The cumulative effect of Singh's crimes has resulted in the administrative law judge's ruling that each of the licensed establishments must remove him as a shareholder and officer of the corporation or risk cancelation of their license. Once he has been removed from each license, the administrative law judge also has barred Singh from any direct or indirect involvement on either a paid or volunteer basis in any of the three businesses, and denies him any further "use or benefit from the licenses or the operation of the business."
It is not known how long the licenses of the three establishments have been suspended, however, they cannot sell any product comprised of or containing alcohol until the Michigan Liquor Control Commission suspension has been lifted. The two stores are open for business, and can sell other products other than alcohol until the suspension ends.
