Spierer case lands local bar in trouble

Kilroy’s Sports Bar was cited on two alcohol-related charges in relation to missing IU student Lauren Spierer by the Indiana State Excise Police on Thursday.

Sports was cited for allowing a minor to loiter and furnishing alcoholic beverages to a minor, according to a State Excise press release.

Excise issued the violation due to discrepancies between Spierer, 20, and the physical description on the identification she used to get into the bar, according to the release.

Spierer, who was last seen June 3, was at Sports that night with a friend until about 2:30 a.m., according to video surveillance. After going to a friend’s apartment, she left at about 4:30 a.m. and was last seen walking south on College Avenue from 11th Street, toward her apartment in Smallwood Plaza.

A report will be sent to the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission for review, and Sports could  face a fine and suspension or revocation of its permit to sell alcoholic beverages.

Cpl. Travis Thickstun said there is no fine or fee in place, and there is also a range for how long the suspension could last, both of which will be determined by the commission.

Sports was previously cited in 2006, 2007 and 2008 by Excise police, which might affect any penalties the bar could face. Thickstun said the outcome will depend on a variety of factors, including the severity of the citations and past violations, but revocations are generally rare.

Excise will increase its presence in Bloomington but not as a result of this case, Thickstun said. He said it is part of a statewide increase in college towns to prevent underage possession and consumption of alcohol.

“We’re going to continue to do the job we’ve always done,” Thickstun said.

Thickstun said there is no timeline for the citation process, and it could be months before the commission comes to a decision.

— Lindsey Erdody