Posted on 06/21/2007 5:30:00 AM PDT by P-40
AUSTIN — A former bartender at a Texas Capitol-area bar has sued her old employer, claiming she was fired because she refused to serve state Sen. John Whitmire when he was drunk.
A top aide to Whitmire, D-Houston, said she was present that night at the Cloak Room and called the bartender's allegations about the senator a "complete fabrication."
In her lawsuit, Rebekah L. Lear said she lost her job at the bar because she refused to serve Whitmire a second scotch on the night of March 8. Lear also alleges that Whitmire threatened to have her fired.
Lear claims her manager later told her that "we never refuse senators," in a conversation that was recorded, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit does not specify the damages Lear is seeking.
Lara Wendler, Whitmire's legislative director, said Whitmire could not be reached for comment Wednesday because he was traveling. Wendler disputed Lear's account of the evening.
The owner of the Cloak Room could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Lear and her lawyer also could not be reached for comment.
The lawsuit says Whitmire arrived at the Cloak Room on March 8 "acting intoxicated" and with a "glazed look in his eyes." Lear, who was working alone, served him the "J&B and water" that he requested, according to the lawsuit, but gave him a glass of water when he asked for another scotch. Lear told him she couldn't serve another drink because he was intoxicated, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit accuses Whitmire of threatening to call the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and have Lear fired if she didn't serve him another drink.
After Whitmire approached Lear and said he "would have her job," Lear said she would call the police if he didn't settle down, the lawsuit says.
"He responded that the police would not come because all he would have to do was to make a phone call," according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit says Whitmire made more threats and then left.
Wendler said she and four other people were with Whitmire that night at the bar. She said Lear refused to serve Whitmire even one drink and never told him that she thought he was intoxicated.
On the day after Whitmire's visit, according to the lawsuit, the bar manager told Lear that "Sen. Whitmire could kill us." The manager also said "we will never get in trouble in this bar with senators in here. The TABC's not going to come in here," according to the lawsuit.
It's a misdemeanor offense for a bartender to serve a drink to someone who is intoxicated.
It may be true, but I don't have to like it.
Ms. Wendler, I have a question: Would you have allowed the senator to drive you home that night if it involved crossing a small bridge over water with no guardrails?
She should have refused to serve him because he preferred diluted scotch.
It is something that this happened in early March and the story is breaking today. I think Whitmire just picked on the wrong person this time and has refused to call her tune.
A drunk politician on a power trip.
Yeah, with an added "I'll have your job" thrown in for good measure.
The General's wife replied, "No I don't. Who are you?" at which point the LT ran out the front door.
You’re right. I forgot that one.
If Will Rogers were alive today he would have a field day with these scum bags we have in office today, national or at the state level.
And an average one even. Make mine a McClellan's Highland ... neat.
Doesn't he have a cell phone?
He had to be drunk if he wasn't even ordering the good stuff.
The Lieutenant interrupted him with, "Private! That's no way to address a superior officer. When you address a superior officer, you will say 'Sir'. Now, let's try this again. Do you have change for a dollar?"
The private responded, "No, Sir!"
The clown would probably have diluted a good single malt.
If she had served the scum and he had caused an accident, SHE would have been charged, not HIM! That’s the way things work. Ordinary people who work and pay taxes receive the rotten end of the stick while the elite gets away with murder. (Vince Foster, Ron Brown)
Maybe the D was for Drunk.
She should have done what the manager at the Austin Chuy’s does in these cases, call 911 and the media. Oh wait, that is only when they knowingly illegally served the Bush twins.
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