Ibero takes 1-2 punch, avoids $40,000 in penalties (updated)

Two more bars expected to announce major changes after New Year

Ibero ULC, Lowest Greenville's gangbanger destination of choice, has been shut down by a one-two punch from the TABC and the property's owner. Ibero has not opened its doors for two weekends, and former employees are begging for jobs at other bars on the strip.

Update 12/22/2009 - Local law enforcement officials tell BarkingDogs that Ibero was offered a 45-day closure to start in late January 2010 or risk more than $40,000 in fines and penalites. After accepting the closure, the property owner (who also controls the liquor permit), told them to take a hike immediately.

According to BD's sources, here is how Ibero was squeezed out of business

On September 30, TABC agents inspected Ibero and found three major violations - see report here: possession of drugs (specifically, Ecstasy pills found in the desk drawer of an office above the bar), an empty hard liquor bottle with a clean (unmutilated) tax stamp (which makes it easy to pour the cheap stuff into an empty bottle of the good stuff), and having alcoholic beverages that were off-the-books (not listed on invoices, so no taxes paid and not tracked for sales).

But the liquor license is not controlled by Salinas. Sources tell BD the property owner, listed as Ali Baba Chicken, controls the license and installed Ibero owner Alex Salinas as secretary on its corporate filings. Legal, yes; kosher, probably not. The Ali Baba Cafe folks claim they are not connected to the Ali Baba Chicken operations after they left Lowest Greenville for Lakewood a few years ago. The Ali Baba Cafe owners vehemently deny any relationship between themselves and Ibero or Salinas.

The property is owned by an entity called Worldwide Food, Inc., registered to Youssef Sukkar. Sources tell BD Youssef lives overseas and leaves operational issues to his brother Dahlam (sp?). The address for the company is listed as a residential property in Plano foreclosed in August 2009. Another corporate officer is Hicham Hamoudeh. His name is listed on the TABC permit back in 2007.

According to one source, Salinas never signs any document or form that could come back to bite his ass when he runs for an elected office in the future. Salinas is an alternate appointee (appointed by Dr. Garcia, held over by Jasso) to the City's Board of Adjustment, something he keeps reminding everyone he meets on Lowest Greenville,  to get his way on Greenville Avenue (see video, and story at Ethics? We don't need no stinkin' ethics).

During a meeting to discuss the September charges at TABC Dallas, Salinas was offered two options: Fight the September 30 charges up the TABC administrative chain (including a minimum of $40,000 in fines and penalties), and risk getting harsher penalties that would include permanent revocation of the license, or take on a voluntary 45-day suspension of the license effective in 45 days (late January 2010). Salinas tucked his tail between his legs and took the suspension.

Right after taking that punch to the scrotum, the Ali Baba Chicken people told Salinas they were not going to let him operate the club during the pre-suspension period. Buh-bye gangbangers, hello a little peace and quiet.

This does not mean we are completely clear of gangbangers yet. Salinas still owns and operates the 180 Club just a few doors north, and they are not closed down. Yet. The City has issued numerous citations on Club 180 for illegal dancing, operating a bar and dancehall without a Specific Use Permit, and other goodies.

Update 12/22/2009 - BD reported earlier that Salinas had hired a local impressario to manage Club 180, another gangbanger club, while he still maintained ownership of the facility. Stories about the theme being changed were a feint to cover the purchase of another bar on the strip (see notes below).

Other sources tell BD two other bars will announce a change in ownership (out with the new, in with the old?) and a closing due to a family emergency, respectively. The changes are expected to be finalized after the beginning of the year.