By Sam Wroblewski 630wpro.com
The Providence Board of Licenses was forced to vote for a continuation of the Shark Bar and Grille case after the owners filed for receivership in Superior Court Monday morning.
Superior Court Justice Michael Silverstein ordered a temporary stay in all legal actions revolving around the Shark Bar as the receiver is now considered the operator of the restaurant. According to court documents, Stephan Del Sesto has been appointed as the temporary receiver.
“The court is in control,” said Providence Senior Assistant City Solicitor Stephan Ryan.
Ryan said the city will petition the court to drop the stay in order for the Board of Licenses to hear arguments on voiding the restaurant’s licenses.
“[The owners] don’t deserve to have it,” said Mayor Jorge Elorza. “The city is going to be taking every step possible to void the licenses.”
Elorza had vowed to go after the operating licenses of the Shark Bar after it was discovered the owners had bribed former House Speaker Gordon Fox $52,000 for a liquor license in 2008. The city is seeking to void the licenses in order to wipe the Shark Bar’s slate clean.
The Shark Bar will remain open during the duration of the receivership.
