Cranky Joe's given interim liquor license suspension

Cranky Joe's in Hanmer was issued an interim liquor license suspension June 24 because the bar allegedly over-served alcohol to the suspect in an incident last weekend which led to the deaths of three teens, who were hit by a car.

The license suspension was issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

“As soon as we had been advised of the incident (on Sunday), and that there may be a connection between the driver of the accident and having been over-served by Cranky Joe's, we were in touch with the Sudbury police,” said commission spokesperson Lisa Murray.

“They provided us with information that they'd collected during the course of their investigation.”

Const. Bert Lapalme of the Greater Sudbury Police Service said he was “sure (Cranky Joe's) will be a part of the investigation,” if the bar “comes into the picture.”

“What investigators do in a matter like this is they try to retrace steps taken by the person that is charged with impaired driving,” Lapalme said. “And if there are establishments, or there are individuals that might have played a role in the whole process, that certainly will be followed up.”

Before suspending the licence, the commission “would have” carried out their own investigation, which involved speaking with people who had been at the bar on the night of the accident, including staff and other patrons, according to Murray.

The commission also looked at the history of the establishment, she said.

“What had happened in the past... Cranky Joe's had received warnings for serving intoxicated people,” Murray said.

Using that information, “It was in the public's interest” to suspend the liquor licence, she said.

Suspensions are rare, according to Murray. With roughly 17,500 establishments in Ontario, there are only about 10 suspensions given annually.

The commission is looking at revoking the bar's liquor licence altogether, according to Murray.

Calls made to Rob Ferrucci, manager of both Cranky Joe's locations in Sudbury, were not immediately returned.

If Ferrucci chooses to appeal the suspension or licence revocation, he has 15 days to contact the commission and set up a hearing to counter the decisions, said Murray.

If he attempts to counter aren't made within 15 days, the liquor licence will be revoked.