NC ABC panel fines liquor company $6K for dinner

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina’s top alcohol regulators have fined a liquor company $6,000 for hosting a November dinner for leaders of a county ABC board.

The state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission on Thursday approved the compromise with Diageo North America over allegations a company representative violated rules barring gifts to ABC employees.

The company treated the Mecklenburg County board chairman, the board’s chief executive officer and more than 20 others to dinner and drinks that cost $12,700 with the tip. The local board repaid the company more than $9,000. The Mecklenburg chairman and CEO have since resigned.

Diageo’s attorney said the company accepted the fine without admitting wrongdoing.

The penalties came the same day the General Assembly announced the formation of a study committee to examine potential ABC reforms.

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