The Richmond County deputy who was supposed to work a “special” at Southbound Smokehouse on June 10 was instead one of the officers who participated in the raid on the restaurant that resulted in citations for underage drinking and unlicensed operation of a dance hall, according to a source who has asked not to be named.
Owner Brian Brittingham confirmed that Richard Russell was supposed to work for Southbound Smokehouse that night but did not show up and did not call to let the manager know he would not be working that night. Instead, he showed up as part of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Department team that conducted the raid.
MORE: Southbound Smokehouse Raided June 10
Rather than allow the Augusta Commission to revoke the restaurant’s alcohol and business licenses, as they were set to do on July 1, owners Brittingham and George Claussen IV have voluntarily surrendered their licenses and are considering reopening in Evans.
In a press release, Brittingham and Claussen lamented the closing of Southbound Smokehouse the same week as the six-year anniversary of the business opening.
“Unfortunately, recent events have portrayed our beloved business in a negative light. We have always attempted to operate our business in compliance with local codes and ordinances and we’ll always continue to do so,” the owners said in the press release.
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A letter sent by Augusta-Richmond County Investigator Jose Ortiz to the Augusta Commission outlined the Sheriff’s Office complaints but also backs up Brittingham’s story of trying to be in compliance with the law. The letter stated that after several complaints, the sheriff’s office sent in investigators and found:
“At that time an investigation began and Officers (sic) learned that southbound (sic) employed someone to check ID as well as had a deputy working special duty at the facility. Inv. Jose Ortiz spoke with the special duty officer and learned they did turn people away for being underage at the door,” the report reads.
Yet, investigators decided to hold a raid anyway.
Brittingham says that he and his partners are sad to move their business out of Richmond County, but are looking to future opportunities.
MORE: Southbound Smokehouse Could Have Liquor License Suspended
“We are excited at the opportunity to focus our efforts on opening an Evans location in the near future,” Brittingham said in the press release.
Southbound Smokehouse operates a location at SRP Park in North Augusta, and the same company recently opened a raw bar named Drift at the same North Augusta location.
Scott Hudson is the Senior Reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com.
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