NORTH CHARLESTON — State Law Enforcement Division agents cited a city councilman for multiple alcohol violations at a troubled cocktail lounge he co-owns that has been the subject of several lawsuits and police calls.Â
Michael Antonio Brown is accused of failing to obtain a required beer or wine sale permit, unlawfully storing alcohol and unlawfully possessing alcohol, according to copies of the citations.Â
Brown, 45, co-owns Blue Note Bistro on Dorchester Road. He opened the cocktail lounge in 2019 with business partner Henry Smalls, according to filings from the S.C. Secretary of State.
The circumstances leading to Brown's citations are unclear. The alleged violations occurred just after 7 p.m. March 6. Each of Brown's citations are misdemeanors carrying a maximum penalty of six months in prison or a $600 fine.
Brown, who's represented District 1 since 2016, disputes the allegations. He told The Post and Courier the episode is a big misunderstanding arising from a clerical error made by the courts in the aftermath of a lawsuit.Â
Still, Brown and Smalls decided to close the restaurant and bar the day after SLED agents visited the property. Their lease is almost up and they've dealt with "so many" allegations and lawsuits, Brown said. The councilman feels he's been subjected to undue scrutiny because he's a Black business owner.
A SLED spokeswoman said further information wasn't available regarding Brown's charges.Â
Charleston Master-in-Equity Mikell Scarborough ordered Blue Note's dissolution as a limited liability company in October 2023. David Marvel, the lawyer representing Blue Note, quickly filed a motion asking the judge to reconsider. His request is still awaiting a hearing, court records show.
Records with the Secretary of State's office show the business was dissolved March 18, citing Scarborough's original ruling.
The judge's order resulted from a March 2021 incident.
Tess Singleton and Benquetta White were leaving Blue Note when multiple drunk patrons allegedly attacked them. A Blue Note employee participated in the fight; security guards didn't intervene, according to the women's complaint.
Singleton injured her knee, neck and back. White testified she suffered a brain bleed and a permanent back injury.
Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein awarded the women damages nearing $1 million, court records show. But they haven't received a cent, their lawyer Clayton McCullough said.Â
"My clients are outraged," he told the newspaper. "They got hurt, they've had to file a lawsuit. We've had to chase these folks at every step."
Lawyers for Blue Note argued the business and its co-owners can't pay the judgment. McCullough has filed motions asking for financial records.Â
The venue has been the site of multiple shootings and other alleged criminal activity. At least 11 lawsuits have been filed since February 2022 in Charleston County against Blue Note and its owners, court records show.Â
Most of the litigation centers around two shootings which occurred at the business a year apart.Â
A 32-year-old woman was accused of opening fire inside the lounge in June 2021 after she was denied entrance to a VIP section. A bullet struck one man in both his knees and another in his pelvis, according to personal injury lawsuits. Other patrons were injured as they tried to exit the bar.Â
Complaints allege Blue Note security guards did nothing to de-escalate the situation.Â
A chaotic scene unfolded less than a year later when shots erupted in a parking lot outside Blue Note, which is located in the Dorchester Crossing shopping mall. North Charleston police officers arrived to find dozens pouring from the business and fleeing in their cars. At least seven people were hurt by gunfire or shattered glass, according to an incident report.
Brown said his business has been unfairly held responsible for alleged criminal activity. He employed around 40 people, including two of his children.
"You think I'm going to bring crime to the place where my children work?" Brown said. "No. I'm not going to jeopardize my business."
But as long as crime remains an issue in North Charleston, businesses won't be able to thrive in certain areas, the councilman said.
