Puerto Vallarta liquor license in 2nd day of state-ordered suspension

After Puerto Vallarta Restaurant owner Eduardo Morales-Cardenas was charged in November with trafficking in stolen liquor, we asked the state Liquor Control Board what that meant for the restaurant. At the time, a spokesperson told us, the LCB had taken no action. But today, we received a reader tip that Puerto Vallarta’s license had been temporarily suspended, and we have just verified that with the LCB. It’s a ten-day suspension – 3 pm yesterday until 3 pm January 12, according to a flyer posted in the restaurant’s window. LCB spokesperson Mikhail Carpenter tells WSB that the penalty is for “liquor purchase from an unauthorized source,” and that the penalty was either a thousand-dollar-fine or a 10-day suspension, and the latter was levied, he said, because “the fine wasn’t paid on time.” Carpenter says additional penalties are possible pending the outcome of the criminal case; Morales-Cardenas, arrested in September, is one of five people charged. We just checked the online case files, which show his next hearing set for January 13th.

12 Replies to "Puerto Vallarta liquor license in 2nd day of state-ordered suspension"

  • HelperMonkey January 3, 2014 (6:11 pm)

    Wow..pay the thousand dollar fine or screw your employees over with a liquor license suspension. Solid choice, Lalo. Selfish and stupid.

  • B January 3, 2014 (6:40 pm)

    Yes, unfortunately the people most suffering from this will be the employees, who will miss out on tips.

  • Dissapointed January 3, 2014 (8:59 pm)

    Wow. All the business lost during the Seahawks playoff game. I really dislike the neg attention it brings to west Seattle.

  • Ian January 3, 2014 (9:39 pm)

    I guess they won’t be serving merlot then…

  • Barry2012 January 4, 2014 (5:52 pm)

    I’m so surprised this place is still in business. Its ridiculous.

  • SaraJ January 5, 2014 (8:17 pm)

    I’ve been to this restaurant and had great service and food (and plenty of it). Lots of people dining, others coming in for take-out orders, and friendly faces. As well as a STRONG margarita.

    Did the previous commenters read the article? He opted for the $1000 fine but didn’t pay it in time – he probably didn’t want the 10-day suspension.

    I hope they stay in business.

  • phil dirt January 6, 2014 (6:49 am)

    The LCB should lift his license ………. permanently!

  • HelperMonkey January 6, 2014 (8:29 am)

    yes, SaraJ we all read the article. if he didn’t want the suspension, he should have paid the fine ON TIME. $1000 is nothing to him. He was stupid and selfish to not pay it on time. His employees will feel it, not him. I had felt good about still going here and supporting the employees but I don’t know if I can do that anymore, honestly, as long as Lalo still owns it.

  • nope January 7, 2014 (12:04 am)

    Food sucks anyway. Good riddance. Time for something new in that space.

  • 2 Much Whine January 7, 2014 (7:33 pm)

    $1,000 can buy a lot of thawed shrimp that’s been stuffed down the pants of a meth addict. Yum!

  • White Lalo January 10, 2014 (7:07 am)

    It’s amazing how many ignorant people make rude and nasty comments about other people without knowing the whole story. Do some of you people really have nothing better to do?! Amazing!!!

  • WS Mom January 10, 2014 (11:29 pm)

    WE care about our community, even if the owner doesn’t! He obviously isn’t a good businessman or employer. A lot of his employees have been with him for years! I wanted to show my support to them, the worker bee’s but honestly, the food is of poor quality & I just couldn’t support his choice to sell a poor product! Really! Bagged lettuce? It has that certain unfresh taste…Ugh!!! I have worked in restaurants. It doesn’t take much to put out a decent product…Especially with mexican food!! (My all time FAVORITE food!!!). Hope Renee in the bar is doing ok with all this…

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