Michigan Town Wants Nonprofit to Lose Its Liquor License For Not Paying Taxes and Water Bills

The Detroit Free Press reports thatthe Auburn Hills City Council is objecting to the Michigan Liquor ControlCommission renewing a nonprofit’s liquor license because thenonprofit, the Mexican Mutual Society, owes more than $35,000 inwater and sewer bills and back taxes.

The council has asked the commission to audit and investigate theorganization’s licensing, however, an official with the commissionsays the investigation is unlikely to happen because state law prohibitsthe commission from denying a nonprofit club’s license based on amunicipality’s objections.  Auburn Hills City Manager Peter Auger said therequest was sent to the commission along with other liquor licensingrecommendations on Tuesday.  According to Sharon Martin, deputy directorof licensing for the commission, when the commission receives such requests, itsends letters to the municipalities informing them that the investigation won’tproceed because the statute doesn’t allow it.  Martin said the commissiongenerally intervenes only if a club is not legitimately operating as anonprofit or if it breaks state laws, including selling alcohol to nonmembersor to minors.

According to its web site, the Mexican Mutual Society was founded in1943 by seven Mexican-American men and “takes pride in promoting theHispanic culture.”  An official at the club declined to comment.

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