Selectmen will not sanction the Krayzee Horse Pub and Grille over a claim that an illegal, sexually explicit videotape was shown on the projection screen at the South Norwood restaurant in December 2006.
Krayzee Horse managers Alexander and Chris Grant denied any knowledge of the video and said it was not shown in the 1112 Washington St. pub.
The Board of Selectmen held a hearing Tuesday to determine whether the allegations that are now in civil court were sufficient enough to suspend the establishment's license to operate. But after hearing more than three hours of testimony, selectmen were deadlocked and ultimately took no action.
At issue was a private explicit video that a woman said was taken without her knowledge or consent and was later shown in the back room of the Krayzee Horse. A witness told selectmen there were roughly 10 people at the viewing, including Alexander and Chris Grant.
But the Grants say the viewing never happened.
"We're trying to run a respectable business and I wouldn't risk that doing something like that," said Chris Grant.
Norwood Police Detective Paul Ryan said he first learned of the episode on March 3 when the woman came to the station to file a criminal complaint against a former Krayzee Horse bartender who allegedly showed the tape at the restaurant. The former bartender now lives in Maryland and was not at Tuesday's hearing.
Town Counsel Mike Lehane told selectmen although the matter is largely an issue for the courts, the board is within its rights to revoke or suspend alcohol licenses if they deem something illegal took place on the premises.
Attorney Albert DeNapoli, representing Krayzee Horse, questioned testimony by an alleged witness to the tape viewing, saying the story had inconsistencies and that the witness refused to give police the names of others who were present when the tape was shown.
Selectman Tom McQuaid said he was deeply disappointed that the witness wouldn't name names because he said it left his claims unsubstantiated.
"I don't think there's enough evidence to do anything," said McQuaid.
Selectman Bill Plasko said he believed the witness's testimony and information gathered by police and suggested the board order the restaurant closed for one week in November. That motion failed to get a second.
Chairman Mike Lyons agreed with McQuaid that there was not enough evidence to punish the pub, but said if there was, he would seek a harsher penalty.
"A week wouldn't come close to doing it for me," said Lyons.
Selectwoman Helen Donohue was not at the meeting.
Daily News staff writer Brian Falla can be reached at 781-433-8339 or bfalla@cnc.com
