“Due to the seriousness of the allegations and the potential threat to public safety, an emergency suspension will be issued today.”
Two Baton Rouge bars are currently under investigation and facing possible permanent closure.
For now, ATC Commissioner Ernest Legier has confirmed to Unfiltered with Kiran that emergency suspensions were issued today (Jan. 24th) for Reggie’s in Tigerland and Dior Bar & Lounge on Bennington. That means the two businesses will no longer be able to serve or sell alcohol.
The Louisiana ATC is working with Baton Rouge ABC and local law enforcement to investigate and share evidence regarding recent incidents at this establishment.
Due to the seriousness of the allegations and the potential threat to public safety, an emergency suspension will be issued today.
This action immediately suspends the service or sale of alcoholic beverages at this location. An emergency hearing will be held next month to determine what penalties (if any) should be imposed following a presentation of the evidence.
-ATC Commissioner Ernest Legier
It comes after LSU student Madison Brooks’ blood alcohol content came back at nearly four times the legal limit. The legal limit is .08 and Brooks’ BAC showed up as .319.
Brooks was 19 years old, meaning she should never have been served alcohol at Reggie’s. But East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputies said video showed Brooks at the bar at Reggie’s on Jan. 15th struggling to stand upright and fell down a few times before she stumbled out of the bar with the four men who were arrested Monday.
According to the University of Notre Dame research, the effects of a BAC between .250g% and .399g% are listed as alcohol poisoning and loss of consciousness.
Deputies have said Brooks was raped twice before she was dropped off outside a neighborhood. She then walked towards Burbank where she was hit by a vehicle and killed. The driver who hit her did stop and deputies said he was not under the influence. It’s why he was not charged.
One key element now is with a .319 BAC, was Brooks was coherent and capable to even consent to sexual intercourse as the two teenagers who did have sex with her according to deputies, said she consented.
Officials however have said Brooks was not capable of consenting, which is why the young men are facing rape charges now.
LSU President William Tate IV is leading what he hopes will be a change and asking for local bars to be held accountable.
“Our action plan starts with a deep and relentless focus on any establishment that profits off our students by providing alcohol to underage individuals,” Tate said. “We will work openly against any business that doesn’t join us in efforts toward creating a safer environment for our students.”
Then on Sunday, Jan. 22nd, there was a mass shooting around 1:30am at Dior Bar & Lounge on Bennington Ave. in Baton Rouge.
The question for Dior is how was a gun allowed inside the club despite a private security detail inside and Baton Rouge Police officers working extra duty outside the club.
Plus, of the 12 people injured, their ages varied from 18 to mid 20’s. It’s unknown if patrons under the age of 21 were served alcohol or not.
Baton Rouge appears to be following in the footsteps of West Baton Rouge with officials like District Attorney Tony Clayton leading the charge to shut down the RAXX Bar after a murder outside and allegations of the bar selling alcohol to underaged children.
UWK did reach out to both Reggie’s & Dior for comment but as of this report, Dior has not responded.
Reggie’s official comment at this time:
“We continue to cooperate with state and local authorities, as we have since their first request. We look forward to meeting with State ATC and East Baton Rouge ABC officials as soon as possible to address their concerns and to insure they have all of the complete and accurate facts and all information they require to complete their investigation.”
Kris Perret, attorney for Reggie’s
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