Liquor marketer spent heavily to fete NC retailers

RALEIGH, N.C. — Receipts from the North Carolina marketing director for a global spirits company show local liquor board officials enjoyed dozens of free meals.

Multiple media organizations reported Friday that the marketer for international distiller Diageo wined and dined local liquor retailers across North Carolina.

The receipts provided to the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission show multiple meals on Diageo’s dime in Charlotte, Greensboro and Winston-Salem. The free meals were also provided in Statesville, High Point, Morehead City, Hillsborough, Mooresville, Wilmington and Boone.

State alcohol enforcement agents said earlier that Diageo and Mecklenburg County’s ABC board broke state law when the distiller sprang for a dinner costing nearly $13,000.

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