Politics & Government

Suspended Penalty for Knights of Columbus in Alcohol-Related Wedding Incident

The license board held a brief meeting on the event hall's violation, stemming from an incident during a wedding reception in June.

The in Braintree received a one-day suspension of its all-alcohol license for allowing illegal activity during a wedding reception last month, but that penalty will not take effect if the club avoids further violations over the next six months.

James O'Brien, the Knights' bar steward, told the Board of License Commissioners on Tuesday that the club did not dispute the allegations, allowing the board to move directly into the penalty phase. The club has also not had a violation since at least 2008, meaning this was regarded as a first offense.

Just after midnight on June 17, Braintree police responded to the Knights of Columbus at 875 Washington St. for a report of a large fight, according to a police report. Several people from the wedding reception were outside on the front lawn yelling when officers arrived, officer Brian Eng wrote in his report.

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Lucas Semedo, 23 of Brockton, was ultimately arrested that night and charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly acting as the "primary aggressor." Unlike other guests who calmed down when officers instructed them to, Semedo continued to try and fight with other people and was pointed out as the instigator, Deputy Chief Russell Jenkins said in .

The problems began when un-invited guests showed up to the hall and were asked to leave, according to Eng's report. In addition, no club members sponsored the event, as is required. O'Brien said he was unaware of that rule until board chair Joe Powers told him following this incident. The bartender on duty told police that he was downstairs smoking a cigarette and counting money when the fight broke out. 

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"My concern is that the bar was left unattended when people were still on the premises," board member Marybeth McGrath said. 

The club received the same penalty as the Loyal Order of the Moose on Howard Street, which was last year after a fight between two lodge members.


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