Montgomery County Executive candidate Steve Silverman’s campaign did not violate county liquor laws when it purchased more than $700 worth of alcohol for use at a fundraiser in Chevy Chase, the county’s top alcohol regulator said Monday.
But a state official said the campaign violated a Maryland law when becausethe alcohol came from a shop in the District.
On Jan. 11, 2005, Citizens for Steve Silverman spent $712.51 at Chevy Chase Wine and Spirits in the District, according to campaign finance reports. Silverman, who is a County Council member, pulled in contributions totaling about $70,000 that day at a fundraiser.
Dennis Theoharis, executive director of the County Board of Liquor License Commissioners, said he determined that neither tickets to the event nor contributions to the Silverman campaign were required to enter and that there was no cash bar. Any of those conditions would have required the campaign to obtain a one-day alcoholic-beverage license, he said.
“Under my jurisdiction, there is no violation,” Theoharis said. “It was, to me, a non-issue. In my business, we have a lot more serious issues, like sales to minors.”
Silverman spokeswoman Judy Jablow on Monday said the campaign paid for the alcohol but was not responsible for transporting it. It is unclear who actually hosted the fundraiser. Jablow refused further comment.
“They gave us receipts for what they purchased and we reimbursed the wine store,” Jablow said.
Regardless of who did the transporting, the campaign violated Maryland law by purchasing more than a quart of alcohol, the maximum amount allowed, from another jurisdiction, said State Comptroller’s Office Spokesman Michael Golden. The office investigates and enforces state liquor tax laws.
