Maddie’s again in hot water

MARBLEHEAD – Maddie’s Sail Loft has received its third liquor license suspension in two months, this time from the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.The ABCC suspended Maddie’s liquor license for three days, Sept. 5-7, for serving a minor. The state board held a hearing July 24. Maddie’s has received two suspensions from the selectmen.Maddie’s owner John Tangusso could not be reached for comment.Last month Tangusso told selectmen he and his staff were “appalled” when they heard about the complaint that resulted in the five-day suspension. “We’ve been here too much,” he said. “I certainly hope this is our last appearance.”The state penalty brings the number of days Maddie’s license has been suspended to 10 this year. The State Street food and drink spot was once named one of the Top 10 sailing bars in the world by Sailing Magazine.Maddie’s has three-and-a-half days left to serve on a five-day suspension ordered by selectmen last month. By mutual agreement that suspension will be served Sept. 21-24. Selectmen suspended the license for two days in July.ABCC investigators said they went to Maddie’s shortly before 10 p.m. on a Thursday evening, June 21, to see how “business was conducted,” and saw a patron use a false ID to purchase alcohol.The girl in question, who turned out to be 20, produced a fake driver’s license from New Hampshire and a Maryland license and told the investigators she was not asked for an ID before she was served.Tangusso said the girl was a girlfriend of the bartender who served her. The bartender was fired when the complaint became known. Bar Manager Doug Moss said Maddie’s new policy is to card everyone who looks 35 or younger.On July 3, two men were allegedly drinking in the bar after hours before being taken into protective custody after being found in the flower bed of Lee Mansion by police, which resulted in a three-day suspension for the bar.Town officials also took into account a May 25 public urination incident and a noise complaint a week earlier when handing out suspensions over the past few months.