In a case of racial discrimination that was called “isolated,” the liquor board found a Baltimore City bar guilty of denying service to a black couple during Super Bowl Sunday.
“I believe you don?t have any personal bias,” said Liquor Board Chairman Stephan Fogleman told the bar?s owner, Harry Thoman, as Fogleman announced a $300 fine after an administrative hearing Thursday.
“There is preponderance of evidence that discrimination occurred,” Fogleman said.
The charge centered on a dispute between Baltimore resident Derrick Willoghby and a Harry?s bartender in February during a Super Bowl party. Willoghby, after arriving at the South Luzerne Avenue bar with his girlfriend, Talea Hance, was told to leave after he attempted to order a drink.
“He told me to get the hell out,” Willoghby said. “He was angry.”
Hance said it was obvious to her they were singled out because they were black.
“Everyone in the bar was white,” she said. “I was crying, so we left and called police.”
After conducting an investigation, Baltimore City police cited Harry?s for a liquor board code that prohibit bars from denying service to customers based on race. The police report stated bar patrons were “uncooperative” and “hostile.”
However, patrons testifying on behalf of Harry?s dispute the police report and Willoghby?s testimony, arguing that no discrimination had occurred.
“I can?t serve you without an ID,” recalled patron Deborah VanCount of the conversation between Willoghby and the bartender.
“I?ve never seen anyone mistreated in this bar,” she said.
“We have people of all types in the bar,” Thoman said. “He was asked to purchase a drink.”
The decision of the board pleased Willoghby. “It?s good,” he said.
“I didn?t want him to lose his liquor license; the man has to make a living.”
Fogleman said the punishment was appropriate. “I?m confident this won?t happen again,” he said.
Join the discussion and take our poll in today’s examiNation Baltimore: How would you react if you were denied service at a local tavern?
