ABC confiscated alcohol for Chase’s election-night party

On Tuesday, hours before hosting Culpeper County Chairman Bill Chase’s election-night victory party, a new restaurant at the Lord Culpeper Hotel was cited by the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

According to a summons filed in General District Court, Spirits manager Rebecca M. Tate, 41, of Culpeper, was charged with allowing alcohol upon the premises of a restaurant without an ABC license, a misdemeanor. She is set to appear in court Nov. 12 at 9 a.m.

Spirits, which has yet to open to the public, is located in the hotel’s basement at 401 S. Main St. The hotel is owned by Chase’s son, Bo, who formerly operated Lord Culpeper Bar and Grille at the same location before ABC revoked that restaurant’s license in 2008 on a variety of charges.

Lord Culpeper Bar and Grille has been closed for nearly two years.

ABC records show Spirits applied for a wine and beer license Sept. 16, but the application is still pending.

“As part of the application process, an ABC agent conducted an inspection of the establishment and noticed there was alcohol on the premises, in violation of the law,” said Philip Bogenberger, spokesman for ABC. He added that the alcohol was confiscated.

Town spokesman Wally Bunker said Culpeper police officers responded to assist the ABC agent Tuesday afternoon.

According to court records, the inspection occurred Tuesday at 1:12 p.m. and was conducted by ABC Special Agent D. Lincoln. Six hours later, Bill Chase and about 40 participants — friends, campaign workers and elected officials — celebrated his victory (sans alcohol) at Spirits.

Bill Chase, 72, won election to the Stevensburg District Board of Supervisors seat for a record eighth consecutive four-year term.

He told the Star-Exponent that about $300-$400 of beer and wine, which he bought, was seized.

“I was angry because I had purchased” the beer and wine, Chase said. “It belonged to me in a room I thought I had rented, and I felt (ABC was) just stealing it from me. I still don’t understand the reason behind it. … I hope they’ll deliver it (back to me) the same as they took it.”

Chase said he knew Spirits did not have an ABC license but thought it would be OK to have wine and beer because he rented the room for a private party.

“It was just a mistake on my part,” he said, adding that Tate is “totally innocent.”

When asked about the incident, Tate responded: “Due to the fact that this is a legal matter, I have been advised not to comment until this is resolved. I feel confident that when this matter is heard in court it will be seen for what it is, a simple misunderstanding.”

According to a business license on file in Culpeper County Circuit Court, Spirits is as a limited liability corporation with Tate listed as manager/member. Bill Chase said Tate leases the restaurant space from Bo Chase.