Day after suspension upheld, I.C. bar Bo James fails another alcohol compliance check

One day after the Iowa Court of Appeals upheld a ruling out of the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division penalizing Bo James in Iowa City for a second violation of serving underage customers, Iowa City police announced the bar failed another compliance check.

With Bo James already facing a 30-day suspension and $1,500 fine, the third violation could further penalize the business.

Two teams of Iowa City police officers and undercover underage patrons conducted the alcohol sales compliance checks late Thursday into early Friday. They visited 46 businesses licensed to sell alcohol, and 39 businesses passed the check by refusing to sell to the underage buyers, according to Iowa City police.

Seven businesses sold to the underage buyers, including Bo James, 118 E. Washington St., The Library Bar, 111 E. College St., Donnelly's Pub, 110 E. College St., The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St., The Vine Tavern, 330 E. Prentiss St., IC Uglys, 210 N. Linn St., and Dave's Fox Head, 402 E. Market St.

Employees caught selling to the underage patrons can be charged with a simple misdemeanor that is punishable by a $500 fine on the first offense. Businesses caught selling to a minor face a $500 civil penalty or a 14-day license suspension for the first violation.

The penalties escalate if there are more penalties within two or three years.

Bo James' most recent alcohol sale violations occurred in October 2008 and January 2009, meaning this week's violation would be the first within the last two years.