Posted on Wed, Sep. 30, 2009
Liquor-law officer indicted in shakedowns
By Kathleen Brady Shea
Inquirer Staff Writer
State Police Liquor Enforcement Officer Gina Marie Kepler turned her job inspecting bars, restaurants, and other businesses that serve alcohol into a profitable side job shaking down the owners, according to a federal indictment filed yesterday.
In all, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the 34-year-old Kepler hit seven businesses between October 2006 and October 2008: The Chill Bar in Holland, Bucks County; Kenny’s Spirited Eatery in Southampton, Bucks County; Johnny Apples Restaurant in Holland; Maggio’s in Southampton; the Langhorne Hotel in Langhorne; Jerzee’s Sports Bar in Glenside; and Bobby’s Burgers Tavern in Conshohocken.
Kepler – whose job was to inspect businesses serving alcohol, conduct investigations regarding the illegal sale of alcohol, and issue citations and order closures if violations of state liquor laws were found – would tell the bar owners that they were facing some kind of licensing trouble, but a little cash would straighten things out.
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Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski said, “Kepler was suspended without pay from her position as a liquor enforcement officer when the investigation began and later left state service.”
Contact staff writer Kathleen Brady Shea at 610-696-3815 or kbrady@phillynews.com.
