8 Bars Won’t Face Liquor Board Action

Eight Spokane-area bars and lounges identified in a major cocaine investigation won’t face action against their state liquor licenses, officials say.

The State Liquor Control Board reviewed investigative files from the Operation Doughboy case, which revealed that cocaine was sold repeatedly at 10 Spokane-area bars and lounges.

If liquor board enforcement officers could prove that managers or owners of those state-licensed premises were aware of the drug dealing, the businesses could face suspension or revocation of their liquor licenses.

The liquor board did revoke the license of the Lame Duck, 8103 E. Trent, which was operated by Doughboy kingpin James Larsen.

The Lame Duck since has been reopened and relicensed under new owners.

Larsen is serving eight years in prison for involvement in the conspiracy to sell hundreds of pounds of cocaine.

The liquor board also moved for the revocation of the license of Flaherty’s, 514 W. Sprague, whose coowner, Rick Olsness, was convicted.

Flaherty’s remains open with its liquor license, pending an administrative hearing for permanent revocation, said Robert Stamper, Liquor Control Board chief in Spokane.

A review of investigative files revealed that the owners or managers of the eight other businesses had no knowledge that cocaine was being sold on their property, Stamper said.

Those premises are: The Comet Tavern, 5028 N. Market; Dewey’s East, 12909 E. Sprague; Dragon Inn, 1406 W. Third; Mandarin House, 7102 E. Sprague; The Scrapbook, 12828 E. Sprague; Silver Lanes, 3023 E. 28th; Shenanigan’s 332 N. Spokane Falls Court, and Weise’s Place, 2436 N. Astor.