Edward Kim and Renee Williams speak before the Charles County Liquor Board Oct. 13.

La Plata, MD – A clerk who had only been on the job for two hours when she sold alcohol to an underage compliance officer was given a break by the Charles County Board of License Commissioners (Liquor Board) Tuesday, Oct. 13.

But Edward J. Kim, owner of Angelo’s Liquors in Waldorf was not.

The alcohol compliance check on the business in August couldn’t have come at a worse time for Renee Williams, who told the board she had only been on the job for an hour and 45 minutes when a white male with a goatee came into make a purchase.

“The AEP went to the cooler and picked up a six pack of Not Your Father’s Root Beer,” Master Cpl. Judith Thompson told the board. “The clerk rang up the sale and never asked for an ID.”

“It was her first day,” Kim tried to explain to the board. “She didn’t check his ID. She thought he looked older.”

“She was not given any alcohol training,” he admitted.

Attorney David Martinez told the board the clerk didn’t realize the root beer was an alcohol product.

Liquor Board Chair Pamela Smith didn’t like the fact that Kim was frequenting his business infrequently. Kim said he lives in Virginia and is going through a divorce and taking care of his daughter.

“You’re not there,” Smith told him. “You’re not putting in a full day really watching what is going on. If you’re not going to be there, this isn’t the business you need to be in. That’s what brought you in here. You either need to sell it or take it more seriously or you’re going to lose your license.”

“With your not being there, it was going to happen sooner or later,” Board Member Guy Black noted.

“I’ll be there a lot more full time,” Kim insisted. “I will have everyone TAM certified.”

Thompson said the store passed compliance checks in 2010, 2013 and 2014, but failed in 2012.

Black suggested a $750 fine with a one-day closure and two days held in abeyance with no fine for the clerk.

Steve Lowe countered, saying the fine should be $1,000, with two days of closure and one day held in abeyance.

The board voted for the latter. Kim was told his store would be closed next week Tuesday and Wednesday on Oct. 18 -19.

“When you go back in service, make sure all of your employees are TAM certified,” Smith warned.

Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com.