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Topic: Troubled party store location may be padlocked
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

I had forgotten how detailed and innovative former Journal reporter Linda Angelo was.

On September 12, 1999, Angelo wrote a detailed piece "Party Stores and problems; Alcohol Outlets saturate Poor Flint neighborhoods."

Angelo started by describing a 1.5 mile section of Pierson Road from Fleming Road to Saginaw Street where there were 7 party stores. The number of such stores were previously based on population. Declining populations in some communities result in too many party stores.

The stats in 1999 indicated "Flint has 61 liquor stores- 14 more than allowed under a state-imposed quota- and 97 stores that sell beer and wine."

" About 70 percent of those stores dominate the poor areas of the city , where the average household income for a family of four is $30,000 or less, a Journal investigation found.

Residents and local officials said they re fed up with the onslaught of alcohol outlets, arguing that many of the stores are eyesores in the community and attract problem youth and drug activity".
Post Wed Aug 31, 2016 11:45 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

In an interview with former 3rd Ward Councilman Johnnie Coleman, whose ward represented one of two areas with the highest proliferation of stores selling alcohol, he discussed the aging population and their attitudes towards these stores.

" Twenty years ago they accepted these liquor stores more because they were a younger group of people. They don't want it now. They don't want the loudness and rowdiness. They feel it's not safe and they don't want to deal with it. It's my job to try to do something about it."
Post Thu Sep 01, 2016 12:01 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Angelo defines the issue:
"The Liquor Control Commission (LCC) issues one license to sell packaged liquor for every 3,000 persons, based on the 1990 Census population figures.
Flint's population has declined since1990, which has resulted in the city having more licenses than its quota. L.C.C. officials said they are not allowed to take away licenses from existing businesses simply because the city's population has dropped."
Post Thu Sep 01, 2016 12:10 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

" More than 30 percent of alcohol outlets are either in or border the poorest areas of Flint where the average household income for a family of four is $20,000 or less.

There are more alcohol stores in Flint's north side- a predominantly poor and minority area-compared to other parts of the city. of the 158 licenses issued for alcohol outlets, 42 are within the 48505 zip code covering the north side.

The city's east ans south sides have more alcohol stores per 1,500 people than the north side,which is more populated. The majority of the stores are in or near poor,white neighborhoods."
Post Thu Sep 01, 2016 12:24 am 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

LARA - Enforcement & Violations - State of ...
www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-10570_15039---,00.html

Additionally, Enforcement inspects licensed establishments to ensure compliance with the Liquor Control Code and Commission rules and also advises and ...
LARA - Licensing Lists - State of Michigan
www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-10570_12905---,00.html

... offers information about Active & Escrowed Licenses including violation histories,... Michigan Liquor Control Commission Application Status Check · Sunday ...

.....................................................................................................................

The liquor outlets can be searched by county . You can check whether a license is in escrow or if the site has had violations.
Post Thu Sep 01, 2016 12:39 pm 
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo

Operator of embattled Flint liquor store indicted on wire fraud charges

Print Email Gary Ridley | gridley@mlive.com By Gary Ridley | gridley@mlive.com

on September 08, 2016 at 1:50 PM, updated September 08, 2016 at 1:51 PM
FLINT, MI – A federal grand jury has indicted the owner of a liquor store prosecutors are attempting to padlock over a spate of violence.

Lakhbir "Lucky" Chahal was indicted Wednesday, Sept. 7, in Flint U.S. District Court on a single count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud after he allegedly implemented a scheme to purchase food stamp benefits from customers of the two stores he operates, Liquor Plus Mini Mart and Paradise House of Liquor, in exchange for cash and ineligible items, such as cigarettes and alcohol.

Authorities also claim Chahal illegally used food stamp benefits to purchase stock for the stores.

Judge orders security guard posted outside violence-plagued liquor store
Judge orders security guard posted outside violence-plagued liquor store
Genesee Circuit Judge Joseph J. Farah said on Wednesday, Sept. 7 that Liquor Plus Mini Mart can still be in operation until midnight as long as there is a security guard in the parking lot from 8 p.m. until midnight.


Federal prosecutors initially filed a criminal complaint against Chahal in mid-August.


Special agents from the United States Department of Agriculture began using undercover police officers and confidential informants in July 2014 to investigate potential fraud at the two stores, according to court records.

Chahal and employees of the stores on multiple occasions would provide undercover officers and informants cash in exchange for food stamp benefits. The cash payouts were often roughly 50 percent of the amount of benefits taken from investigators, according to an affidavit filed with the complaint.

Authorities also allege Chahal and the store's employees would purchase food stamp cards for later use at other stores, where he would then purchase food and drinks for sale at the liquor stores.

More than 100 food stamp cards were identified as being used by Chahal and his associates at one store alone, authorities allege.

Investigators claim records show Chahal's two stores were redeeming roughly $30,000 per month total in food stamp benefits since 2010. Convenience stores in Flint average only $3,500 in monthly food stamp redemptions, according to the affidavit.

Flint police padlocked Liquor Plus, 407 Martin Luther King Ave., on Aug. 23 after three shootings took place outside the store since July 29, including the death of 27-year-old Corandis Jenkins, a teenager shot at a vigil for Jenkins and a 10-year-old who was shot inside a vehicle in July.

Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton was granted a temporary restraining order in a nuisance claim filed against the business and its owner, but the business was allowed to reopen Aug. 29.

The state's nuisance law allowed Leyton to seek a court order that could leave the business padlocked for up to one year.

Genesee Circuit Judge Joseph J. Farah said on Wednesday, Sept. 7, that Liquor Plus can continue to remain open at night as long as there is a security guard in the parking lot from 8 p.m. until midnight.

Liquor Plus Mini Mart has been the site of criminal activity going back to 2014, Genesee County Circuit Court records show, despite the store being closed for reconstruction for eight months.

Calls to police included reports of gun violence, assault, drug-dealing, shots fired, loitering and the alleged illegal sale of alcohol, court records show.

A trial on Leyton's motion to padlock the business will continue Sept. 9.




KCollege97 16 hours ago
Goes on at pretty much every corner store. Why do you think there's one every other block. Issue is the city and county don't care because if you have dough and 'shake the right hands' in flint you're immune to heat. Note this is the feds ---- not the city or county, of course.


Blue407 15 hours ago
You got it.


Areastside1 18 hours ago
Why isn't his wife charged too? You know she was right along with him, or is this yet another "deal" the people get screwed on.....Also why aren't those who are "entitled"to those cards up on charges too....if they can afford to sell the value for pennies on the dollar, then they should have never received them in the first place, or ever try to receive them again. Oops sorry that would make sense.
Post Fri Sep 09, 2016 8:21 am 
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