Illegal Gambling Operation Uncovered During Raid At Suffolk County Tavern: Police

By Jillian Pikora From Daily Voice

Illegal gambling uncovered during a late-night State Liquor Authority inspection led to a bartender’s arrest at a Long Island tavern, Suffolk County police announced.

Nicole Sutera, 41, of Lindenhurst, was arrested during an SLA inspection at Valencia Tavern on Wall Street in Huntington just after 11 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, according to police.

Second Precinct Crime Section officers, working alongside the New York State Liquor Authority, Town of Huntington Fire Marshal, and Town of Huntington Ordinance Inspector, conducted the inspection following community complaints, authorities said.

During the raid, officers discovered envelopes containing cash, betting records, and gambling pools inside the bar, police detailed in the release.

Sutera, who was working as a bartender at the time, was charged with Disorderly Premise, an unclassified misdemeanor under New York’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, police said.

The inspection also resulted in six combined fire and building code violations being issued to the establishment by town officials. The State Liquor Authority observed multiple violations and will continue its investigation into the tavern, authorities said.

Sutera was issued a field appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in First District Court in Central Islip on Dec. 31.