Eliot (Ness) Spitzer takes on big booze
Eliot Spitzer, the gubernatorial frontrunner for 2006, is leading a probe into New York’s wine liquor industry. “We are looking into illegal pricing practices in the liquor industry,” said Spitzer spokesman Marc Violette. Such no-nos include whether certain retailers have received illegal gift certificates, cash, trips and discounts from wholesalers. Although such incentives may be commonplace in other industries, the liquor laws have deep roots to the time of the repeal of Prohibition.
Spitzer’s not naming any names at this point. But he is promising further investigation of any threats that retailers may receive from wholesalers. The Buffalo News broke this story of infractions several weeks ago and Spitzer is clearly not satisfied with the recent hearings into the matter at the state legislature, nor with the oversight of the NY State Liquor Authority. It will certainly be interesting once more details of the investigation are made public since at least the discounting to big buyers is commonplace in the wine trade.
Stay tuned to this Untouchable.
tags: wine | New York | Eliot Spitzer
