Contra Costa County bar owner criminally charged for opening his business

A bar owner was criminally charged by Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton with serving alcohol indoors in violation of the county's pandemic health order.

Becton also charged the bartender at Skorz Sports Bar in the city of Pittsburg with a misdemeanor, unlawfully selling alcohol with a suspended license.

It was the first time Becton had filed criminal charges against a business, accusing it of not following pandemic health orders, which do not permit non-essential businesses such as bars to open to the public, said DA spokesperson Scott Alonso.

Alonso said the charges stem from a June 11 investigation by state Alcohol Beverage and Control agents who responded to complaints that the bar was open and patrons were inside drinking alcohol. The owner's alcohol license was also suspended at the time of the investigation due to failure to pay taxes, Alonso said.

The county established a tip hotline at the beginning of the pandemic for members of the public to report non-essential businesses they claim are operating illegally. Becton said in a statement that her office has received hundreds of calls since the hotline was created.

"These businesses are putting the public's health in jeopardy by violating the health officer orders," Becton said in a statement. "We will continue to investigate reports of violations of the health officer order," she added.

An arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 6, according to Alonso. People v. Kimberly Beatrice Dixon and Carla Kacprzak, 04-200281-4 (Contra Costa, Sup. Ct. Filed Sept. 11, 2020).

-- Tyler Pialet