James Dolan hires a private investigator to follow up on the state liquor authority
Madison Square Garden’s owner, James Dolan, allegedly hired a private investigator to follow the State Liquor Authority’s investigator while the agency looks to revoke the Garden’s liquor license.
Several Dolan-owned properties have been charged administrative fees after applying facial recognition technology to identify and deny entry to attorneys working to litigate against him.
The exclusion of some parkgoers called on Charles Stravalli, a New York State Liquor Authority investigator and retired police chief, to determine whether MSG could continue to serve alcohol at Knicks and Rangers games, The New York Times reported.
Banning entry to only certain sports fanatics may violate state beverage laws that require establishments to admit the general public.
According to the Times, Straval called the police after a black Chevrolet followed him more than 100 miles to his home in Queens.
After returning home, the Chevrolet driver camped outside with a camera pointed at Straval’s house.
The police later pull Chevrolet, who ends up being a private investigator.
MSG Entertainment has admitted that it hired a private investigator to destroy Stravale, which it said was “common and legal practice,” according to court documents filed this week.
In addition to MSG, the SLA could also revoke liquor licenses for Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theatre, also owned by Dolan.
In response to the four violations filed against him, Dolan filed a petition in Manhattan Superior Court on March 11 asking the judge to stop the SLA crimes, calling the execution an “abuse of power.”
“This gang-like government organization has finally confronted an entity that will not relent in the face of their heinous abuses,” Dolan told The Post last week.
“While others who have experienced this harassment may have been forced to acquiesce or remain silent, we are taking a stand on behalf of our fans and the many small businesses that have long been subjected to SLA corruption.”
In the fiery 47-page filing, his corporate entity claimed the SLA’s “improper actions” were “an attack not only on MSG, but also on all of its fans, who will be denied the full MSG experience if the SLA gets in the way and MSG is dispossessed.” In serving alcohol in its places.
