Faribault County commissioners must decide whether someone’s criminal history should prevent a business from obtaining a liquor license.
Board members have postponed issuing a license to the Derby Inn located in Guckeen because one of the owners may not meet qualifying standards.
Commissioners are scheduled to address the matter at their board meeting on Tuesday, according to the agenda.
“Our recommendation is a joint recommendation, sheriff (Mike) Gormley’s and the county attorney’s (Cameron Davis),” says Chief deputy Scott Adams.
Applications to renew a liquor license may be denied, says state law, if a person does not have good moral character and repute or if they have been convicted of a felony.
According to County Assessor Office records of property sales for October 2023, Benjamin John Rosa is listed as the buyer and primary taxpayer of the Derby Inn.
Although Rosa has not been convicted of a felony crime, he faces felony counts of first-degree burglary while assaulting a person on the property, first-degree aggravated assault, second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, and theft involving an incident on Aug. 22, 2023, in Blue Earth County.
Rosa also has had run-ins with law enforcement in Faribault County last year.
After posting a $200,000 bond in Blue Earth County, Rosa was arrested for DWI on Aug. 28 and charged with misdemeanor fourth-degree driving while impaired. He was convicted to a reduced charge of reckless driving, a misdemeanor.
In November 2023, Rosa was charged with third-degree burglary — entering without consent with intent to steal and commit a felony or gross misdemeanor.
He was convicted on a reduced misdemeanor charge of trespassing and also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of theft. A misdemeanor charge of fourth-degree damage to property was dismissed.
Another issue commissioners will have to consider is ownership percentages of the bar because it was established as a limited liability company.