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Directing the Department of Safety and Inspections to proceed with adverse action and the imposition of a $500 matrix penalty and amended license conditions against Richard A Defoe Entertainment Inc d/b/a Wilebskis Blues Saloon (License ID #0096027) for the premises located at 1638 Rice St.
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WHEREAS, Richard A Defoe Entertainment Inc d/b/a Wilebskis Blues Saloon (“Licensee”) was notified in a letter from the City Attorney’s Office dated April 15, 2026, and titled Notice of Violation and Request for Imposition of $500 Matrix Penalty and Amended Conditions (“Notice”) (Exhibit #1), that the Department of Safety and Inspections (“Department”) recommended a $500 matrix penalty and amended conditions for the Licensee’s Liquor On Sale 181-290 Seats, Liquor On Sale - Sunday, Liquor On Sale - 2AM Closing, and Entertainment (B) licenses (License ID #0096027) (“License”) for violations of the Minnesota Statutes and Saint Paul Legislative Code; and
WHEREAS, The Notice explained that on October 5, 2025, a homicide had taken place in the parking lot at 1638 Rice Street (“Licensed Premises”). That same night, a patron was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street after leaving the Licensed Premises. On October 16, 2025, the Department sent a letter to the Licensee requesting video footage for the night of October 5, 2025, no later than October 20, 2025 (Exhibit #2). On October 21, 2025, the Licensee emailed the Department requesting an extension of the deadline to October 23, 2025 (Exhibit #3); and
WHEREAS, The Licensee provided the video footage and the Saint Paul Police Department (“SPPD”) reviewed the footage and observed staff serving alcohol to patrons past the 2 a.m. closing time, staff consuming alcohol in the presence of the SPPD, and staff dumping bottles outside of the Licensed Premises past 10 p.m., which are violations of the License; and
WHEREAS, On April 27, 2026, the Licensee, via his attorney, contacted the City Attorney’s Office requesti...
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