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Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the results Wednesday of joint efforts by the State Liquor Authority and the Department of Motor Vehicles to combat underage drinking. During this enforcement effort in the months of August, September and October, SLA sent underage decoys to 506 establishments, citing 141 for illegal sales to minors. In addition, DMV investigators arrested 271 people under the age of 21 attempting to use false identification to purchase alcohol.  44 arrests were made at two Ithaca bars.

"Underage drinking can lead to bad decisions and dangerous situations that can have lifelong consequences or needless tragedy," Cuomo said. "Through on-going enforcement efforts, we will continue to crack down on this dangerous behavior and target businesses that break the law by selling to minors and underage adults."

The SLA conducted 41 underage details in 30 counties, with investigators sending underage decoys into 506 locations holding liquor licenses, including restaurants, bars, grocery stores, convenience stores and liquor stores. The decoys were able to purchase alcohol at 141 businesses listed here. The 365 businesses refusing to sell to underage decoys are listed here.

During the investigations, SLA investigators entered the licensed premises separately from the undercover minor to observe and verify when illegal transactions occurred. Licensees charged by the SLA with underage sales face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, with fines starting from $2,500 to $3,000 for a first-time offense. Repeat offenders also face potential suspension or revocation of their licenses.

DMV investigators made the following arrests for use of fake IDs:

Southern Tier - 44 arrests

• 44 arrests at Moonies Tavern and Silky Jones Bar, both in Ithaca

Capital Region - 31 arrests

• 9 arrests during the Luke Bryan concert at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC)
• 2 arrests at the Kid Rock concert with Brantley Gilbert at SPAC
• 8 arrests at the Zac Brown concert at SPAC
• 12 arrests at the Varsity Lounge in Albany

Central New York - 21 arrests

• 2 arrests at the Luke Bryan concert at the Lakeview Amphitheater
• 2 arrests at the Kid Rock concert at the St. Joseph's Health Amphitheater at Lakeview in Geddes
• 17 arrests at The Red Jug, The Dark Horse Saloon, and Harry Tony's, all in Cortland

Finger Lakes - 91 arrests

• 13 arrests at the Dierks Bentley concert at the Darien Lake concert facility
• 34 arrests at the Jason Aldean concert at Darien Lake
• 7 arrests during an investigation at One Nightclub and Vinyl in Rochester.
• 18 arrests at the G-Eazy concert at Darien Lake
• 6 arrests at Somerton's Public House and Dragonfly Tavern in Rochester
• 13 arrests at The Red Jug Pub and Stone Yard Brewing Company in Brockport

Long Island - 36 arrests

• 14 arrests at the Brad Paisley concert at the Jones Beach Theater
• 22 arrests at the Billboard Hot 100 concert at Jones Beach

Western New York - 48 arrests

• 24 arrests at The Steer and the Main Place Bar in Buffalo
• 24 arrests at Old Main Inn, Sunny's Bar and Muldoons, all in Fredonia

The fake identifications seized during these arrests were from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Maryland, Delaware, California, Ohio, Illinois, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Florida.

The crackdown is part of Operation Prevent, a DMV initiative conducted all year long that targets not only bars and drinking establishments, but concerts, events and other underage hot spots. During an Operation Prevent sting, DMV investigators work with the SLA and law enforcement to check identification documents. Patrons found to be using fake IDs can be arrested and have their license revoked for a minimum of 90 days or up to one year.

Vincent G. Bradley, Chairman of the New York State Liquor Authority, said, "Preventing the sale of alcohol to minors remains a priority for the SLA. These large-scale enforcement efforts with our partners at the DMV and local law enforcement will continue to be part of our proactive measures to prevent alcohol abuse among our youth."

In addition to aggressively enforcing underage drinking laws, the SLA continues to promote education and training for licensees to avoid violations. This fall, the SLA and the Empire State Restaurant & Tavern Association are again hosting a series of free compliance trainings throughout the state. Trainings began on October 29th in Buffalo, with additional seminars planned in Canandaigua, Melville, Nanuet, Lake Placid, Syracuse and in Dryden. These day-long programs for bar, restaurant and tavern owners and their staff focus on the legal responsibilities of selling alcohol and provide training in practical skills to help licensees and their employees fulfill their legal responsibilities, including preventing sales to minors.

Terri Egan, DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner and Acting Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, said, "If you acquire a fake identification, it doesn't matter what state it appears to be from. Our investigators will quickly be able to spot the fraud, and you will be arrested. We want our young people who are not yet 21 to celebrate responsibly. They shouldn't try to buy alcohol. And if they try to use a fake ID or someone else's ID to purchase alcohol they need to be aware that it's a crime we take seriously."

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