Virginia Department Of Alcoholic Beverage Control
The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is a state public safety agency providing control, service, revenue and a wide range of services to residents and localities throughout the Commonwealth. Three board members who are appointed by the Governor head the department.
As one of 18 “control states” across the U.S., ABC is charged with safely and responsibly administering the sale, distribution and consumption of alcoholic beverages. ABC operates 332 stores across the state which sell "hard" liquor (with beer and wine also sold in non-ABC locations). ABC's wholesale and retail operations currently employs 677 full-time employees. For 2011, the ABC system is projected to generate $324 million in liquor taxes and profits as well as from beer and wine taxes that are already sold by private retailers.
Since 1934, Virginia ABC has benefited the Commonwealth by providing law enforcement, education and prevention efforts and a major source of revenue, resulting in over $860 million in contributions to the Commonwealth for education, police, fire, public works and other projects in just the last five years.
ABC special agents have full police powers with a diverse range of duties – from investigating license applicants and conducting underage sale compliance checks, to enforcing criminal and ABC laws in more than 14,000 licensed establishments. ABC agents also work with other law enforcement agencies to investigate crimes, including illegal liquor manufacture and distribution, cigarette smuggling, and illegal drug distribution.
ABC has received national and state awards for implementing its Alcohol and the Aging initiative and leading the formation of Virginia's Alcohol and Aging Awareness Group.
In addition to regulating the distribution of alcoholic beverages, Virginia ABC serves as an administrative hearing agency. ABC violations investigated by special agents are reported to the Hearings and Appeals Division to be scheduled for an administrative hearing. Administrative hearings can result in dismissal, fines, suspension or revocation of a license.
Read more about Virginia Department Of Alcoholic Beverage Control: Licensing, Proposed Restructuring of Liquor Sales, Fallen Officers, See Also
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