On March 25, 2014, the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) accepted a conditional no contest offer from Empire Merchants LLC., a New York wholesaler, for selling products at deep discounts to select retailers.
The SLA stated, “the Alcoholic Beverage Control law requires that wholesalers of wine and spirits post their prices monthly with the SLA in order to ensure a level playing field where all licensed retailers are able to purchase products from wholesalers at the same prices. These provisions were enacted to create transparency and protect New York consumers and businesses from anti-competitive market behavior.”
Empire Merchants agreed to a $600,000 civil penalty to settle the charges.