Bracco’s sues state after liquor-license suspension

Freeport brothers Jon, Michael and Robert Bracco, owners of Bracco’s Clam and Oyster Bar on the Nautical Mile, are suing the State Liquor Authority, asking for all administrative charges against Bracco’s to be dismissed and for $20,000 in fines levied against the restaurant to be returned, court documents show.

The lawsuit, filed in State Supreme Court, comes after the state revoked Bracco’s liquor license last August because rapper 50 Cent appeared there to promote and sign bottles of his Effen Vodka. After his appearance, the rapper performed an impromptu karaoke concert, during which police say fights broke out and bottles were hurled at village police when they tried to break them up. 50 Cent was at the bar about 45 minutes, documents state.

The Bracco brothers dispute police charges, saying that there was no concert that night, and that the crowd was peaceful during 50 Cent’s appearance.

Bracco’s license was reinstated in December, but the suspension cost the brothers more than $2 million in revenue in the second half of last year, court documents state.

The liquor authority also barred Bracco’s from having live concerts, DJ music or any promotions, and the bar was required to close at midnight — restrictions that were lifted April 12.

The Bracco brothers’ attorney, Ron Rosenberg, filed suit on April 24, saying there were three incidents on the night in question:

• A disorderly person was removed from Bracco’s at 12:55 a.m.

• There was an open container violation at 1:22 a.m.

• And a drunken driver was arrested at 1:38 a.m.

According to Rosenberg, all three incidents occurred about three hours after 50 Cent left the venue and were unrelated to his appearance.

The Bracco brothers were not available for comment. It was unclear whether they might sue the Village of Freeport or village police.