EUGENE, Ore (KMTR) - A popular downtown Eugene bar and nightclub may lose its liquor license after a 16-month investigation by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC).
The OLCC has proposed revoking the liquor license of Ronald McKy, the owner of The Rok Nightclub & Sports Bar.
In a report released last month, the commission’s Public Safety Program has proposed removing McKy from the Responsible Vendor Program and canceling his license.
The OLCC’s report details at least 43 documented cases of 'serious incidents' both inside and outside the club since October 2011. The reports came from anonymous tips and Eugene Police responses.
Many of the reports detail alleged assaults. The following italicized paragraphs describe a few of the documented incidents detailed in the report:
“On April 14, 2012 at about 2:46 AM, an EPD officer observed an intoxicated patron walk out of the premises and punch three persons several times in their faces and necks. One patron was knocked unconscious to the ground and was transported to the hospital. The patron was arrested for Assault IV, Harassment, and Disorderly Conduct. EPD Case #12-6128.”
“On September 30, 2012 at about 1:55 AM, EPD officers responded to a report of a stabbing at the premises. Several patrons physically fought in the alley adjacent to the premises when one of the patrons stabbed another patron with a knife. The injured patron was transported to the hospital where it was determined he was stabbed in his upper back and above his hip. One stab wound punctured an artery that required surgery. EPD Case #12-17244.”
“On December 2, 2012 at about 1:48 AM, EPD officers responded to the premises regarding an assault and observed a patron lying in the parking lot with blood coming from the back of his head. The patron attempted to reenter the premises after he was ejected from the premises for fighting. Employees pushed the patron back to the parking lot, where the employees and patron fell to the ground and the patron’s head was injured. When the patron attempted to bite one of the employees, the employee placed the patron in a choke hold until the patron passed out. EPD Case #12-21750.”
Along with multiple cases of assault, the report also contains documentation of multiple cases of drunk driving allegedly stemming from The Rok, lewd conduct and other unlawful activities. According to the OLCC, at least one person was intoxicated in virtually all of the documented incidents.
Investigators say the report shows a history of serious and persistent problems at the club since October 2011.
"Assaults that involved knives, a couple cases there were guns involved, there were a number of occasions where police were reporting people had been over-served, so there was intoxication,” says Mark Jaehnig, an inspector with the OLCC.
According to the report, Jaehnig and other OLCC staff members visited the bar’s owner at least three times between December 2011 and July 2012. On at least two of those occasions, the owner of The Rok was asked for a plan to make sure problems were contained.
“We want to make sure that people are safe and that alcohol is being responsibly dispensed,” says Jaehnig.
McKy and The Rok are now in the middle of OLCC’s hearing process. While the Commission is recommending that the license be revoked, no decision has been made. The OLCC says McKy does have an opportunity to submit a plan to alleviate problems.
Commissioners will have the final say on McKy’s liquor license at a February 28 meeting.
NewsSource 16 attempted to contact McKy about the OLCC’s proposal on Friday, February 8. NewsSource 16’s call was not returned.
To read the OLCC's full report, click the link section at the top of this article.
