Liquor Board inspector accused of consulting for Damian Bohager's newest club
So late last week a small brouhaha rightfully erupted at the liquor board meeting.
Pigtown residents brought to the board's attention that one of the agency's inspectors was consulting for a proposed bar, a no-no according to the city charter. The agency immediately began an investigation into the matter.
So far, as Investigative Voice has reported, the inspector, Don Fitzgerald, has been assigned to desk duty.
But speaking to chairman Stephan Fogleman recently, there's this update: Fitzgerald has decided to take a personal, unpaid leave for a week or two.
And Fogleman said the investigation should be wrapped up by the end of next week.
The problem started at a Pigtown community hearing for a proposed 5,000-square-foot club called Ambrosia that's partially owned by the controversial Damian Bohager, formerly of Fells Point's defunct Bohager's, and one of Maryland's top 50 tax scofflaws last year.
Bohager owed the state nearly $600,000 in unpaid taxes.
At that meeting, veteran inspector Fitzgerald said he was consulting for Ambrosia to help them navigate the tricky process of opening a new club, the residents said.
Residents then presented video of the meeting to the liquor board last Thursday, which began an internal investigation that resulted in Fitzgerald's assignment to desk duty the following day.
By Tuesday morning, Fogleman said, the inspector had decided to take time off on his own dime until the investigation was completed. Executive Secretary Samuel T. Daniels Jr. and chief inspector Ralph Gilliam are conducting the probe.
The board will have to wait on the conclusion of the investigation to vote on Fitzgerald's future, which could include dismissal or a suspension, or, as likely, a slap on the wrist.
Though the city charter forbids inspectors from working with bars that hold licenses, it's not legally clear if it applies to bars that haven't yet received them, like Ambrosia.
In any case, Fitzgerald has retained an attorney to represent him during the investigation, Fogleman said. Fitzgerald couldn't be reached for comment.
While the chairman declined to comment on the specifics on the case, or the discussions that have already taken place, he was equally vague about the investigation's possible outcome, just saying, "It's always disappointing when an accusation of impropriety happens."
The return of Bohager's?
Of course, the other interesting aspect of this story is the return of Bohager, who has been without a megabar of his own since his namesake bar, famous for its college nights and foam parties, closed in 2004.
Back when he quit, to make way for a pricey apartment complex, he told the Sun a megabar - Bohager's held about 1,250 people - wasn't in his future.
But Ambrosia - where he is one of three prospective owners - would occupy a massive chunk of real estate on the 700 block of Washington Boulevard in Pigtown. And its description sounds like vintage Bohager's: it would have a staff of 15, a full menu, live entertainment, and off-duty police for security.
Residents are concerned the neighborhood will be overwhelmed by its patrons and have been circulating e-mails protesting the club.
The latest came on Wednesday, when the Washington Village Development Association, in an e-mail forwarded by the neighbors' group Pigtown Public Safety, asked residents to write letters of opposition against an Ambrosia.
Sounds like Bohager hasn't lost the touch for controversy.
Photo: Damian Bohager outside Bohager's in 1998 (Baltimore Sun)
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
THIS IS ME PRAYING TO THE COMEDY GODS THAT A PIGTOWN VERSION OF BOHAGER'S OPENS UP HOOOOLLLYYYYYY SHIIIIIIIIIII
Posted by: Evan | January 20, 2011 3:29 PM
And I am personally praying that a version of Bohager's never, never, never opens ever again. That place was just SAD
Posted by: baltimoregal | January 20, 2011 4:06 PM
The original Bohager's was one of the best bars ever in Baltimore. They got a little(lot) carried away when they bought Parrot Island back in 99? There used to be 3000 people at Parrot Island and Bohager's combined on any given Friday or Saturday night. The good ole days;)
Posted by: jason z | January 20, 2011 4:41 PM
Anyone who thinks that Damien Bohager should be allowed to open this club in Pigtown, please let him open it next to YOUR house, not ours!
And wouldn't any asset he owned be subject to levy by the state for his back taxes? Sounds like the new owners aren't very bright. Or honest. Who would want to do business with a tax cheat?
Posted by: pigtown resident | January 20, 2011 5:26 PM
DID SOMEONE SAY..BEETLEJUICE? I swear....Bohager looks like Beetlejuice!
He is delusional.......he thinks he can move his hot mess to the West side..WRONG!
Posted by: q. | January 20, 2011 5:53 PM
Hey if Pigtown won't have him the tax scofflaws in Federal Hill will welcome him as one of their own.
BTW: Fitzgerald has been "consulting" these clowns for years!
Posted by: Ozzie | January 20, 2011 5:54 PM
Believe me NO ONE wants Damian Bohager in their neighborhood. He is the most perfectly named human I ever had slither near me. Let him pay his taxes back first . He is the ultimate slimebag. Remember me Damian. I was with Delores when she said as long as you were a poop pile she would be flying around you. Here we are again.
Posted by: Katy Greene Davis | January 20, 2011 5:56 PM
Maybe someone should forward this article to Comptroller Franchot. If Damien Bohager has the money to open this bar, then he must have the money to pay all of his back taxes.
I'd really like to know how that works. You OWE the state pretty close to a million bucks, yet you have the money to open a nightclub.
Sounds like Damian Bohager and the idiots who dreamed up this scheme deserve each other.
Posted by: Cathy | January 20, 2011 10:06 PM
Ahhhh, good ol' HoBaggers. Quite a few nasty memories of that place...
Posted by: TheBeav | January 21, 2011 12:45 PM
@Cathy- since when is 600k close to a million dollars. For all we know, Damien could just be a consultant or maybe he has a payment plan already in place with the state.
I am sure that Damien Bohager has paid more taxes than most of us and I am sure that there are just as bad tax scofflaws that are running businesses right next to you.
Just saying...
Posted by: devil's advocate | January 21, 2011 12:52 PM
"devil's advocate"..how appropriate since we're speaking of Damien.....
I just got off the phone with the State of Maryland Comptroller's office.....& guess what? NO PAYMENT PLAN IN PLACE for the hundreds of thousands of dollars OWED to the state NOR to the multitude of people he ripped off.
The State was quite pleased too hear his within their "reach!"
Welcome to Maryland, Damien, HON!
Posted by: q. | January 21, 2011 4:03 PM
LOL he dry snitched
Posted by: Tif | January 21, 2011 5:19 PM
While I can't speak on the integrity of Damien Bohager, I must agree with Jason Z that the original Bohager's was a phenomenal bar where countless good memories were made...and many others were also forgotten!
Posted by: Greg S | January 25, 2011 1:12 PM
Don't hate on DB. Hate on the city of Bmore and MD for letting him get away with it. Remember, if you're not cheatin' you're not trying hard enough. Looks like DB is trying as hard as he can.
Posted by: Rube Goldberg | January 27, 2011 2:14 PM
The liquor license transfer was denied :'(
Posted by: Evan | February 11, 2011 11:48 AM
i hope to be over there within the year! I heart Pigtown;)
Posted by: jason z | February 11, 2011 6:03 PM
i hope to be over there within the year! I heart Pigtown;)
Posted by: jason z | February 11, 2011 6:03 PM