SALEM — A Lafayette Street restaurant's liquor license was suspended for Valentine's Day weekend over its handling of a November fight.
The Licensing Board last night issued a three-day suspension to Strega Restaurant and Lounge, 92 Lafayette St., to be served from Friday through Sunday.
However, the restaurant is expected to go to court today to seek an injunction, which would delay any action until a court hearing.
Strega owner Linda Cappuccio and her attorney did not attend last night's hearing.
Two people who said they were assaulted on Nov. 7 at Strega were present last night and testified. They had come to an earlier board meeting a few weeks ago and spoke to the board with Cappuccio present.
However, the official hearing on the incident was postponed to last night so the Strega owner could be represented by an attorney.
Board Chairman Robert St. Pierre said he told Cappuccio at the earlier meeting that there would be no more continuances.
Attorney Steve Lovely, who represents Strega, only learned of the suspension after last night's hearing and came down to the 120 Washington St. meeting room to protest as the board was getting ready to go home. He said he had requested a continuance before the hearing, was told it had been granted and instructed Cappuccio not to attend.
St. Pierre said the board's records did not reflect that and told the lawyer he would have to appeal the matter in court.
The two alleged assault victims said they were attacked at Strega on a Saturday night by unknown assailants. They claimed the bar did nothing to prevent the assaults and failed to call police afterward.
A 49-year-old Marblehead man said he asked a bouncer at Strega to "do something" about a patron who was giving him a problem, and that the restaurant employee ignored him. He said he was later attacked by the patron.
The man said a staff member also ignored his request to call police. "Why should I call the police?" he claimed the employee said. "I didn't see anything happen."
A 39-year-old Danvers woman, who was in the same large group of diners with the Marblehead man, said she was assaulted by a woman during the fight. She said someone grabbed her hair, ripped off her necklace and knocked her to the ground. The woman will need physical therapy for months, her lawyer said.
The board made only a few comments before unanimously voting for a suspension. Before recommending the punishment, member Rick Lee said: "This has gone too far. ..."
St. Pierre said the board had hoped to hear both sides of the story.
"Unfortunately," he said, "Ms. Cappuccio, for reasons known only to herself, decided not to show up. ..."
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
