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Bartender says she was fired for refusing to serve lawmaker
Associated Press ^ | 6/21/2007 | AP

Posted on 06/21/2007 5:30:00 AM PDT by P-40

AUSTIN — A former bartender at a Texas Capitol-area bar has sued her old employer, claiming she was fired because she refused to serve state Sen. John Whitmire when he was drunk.

A top aide to Whitmire, D-Houston, said she was present that night at the Cloak Room and called the bartender's allegations about the senator a "complete fabrication."

In her lawsuit, Rebekah L. Lear said she lost her job at the bar because she refused to serve Whitmire a second scotch on the night of March 8. Lear also alleges that Whitmire threatened to have her fired.

Lear claims her manager later told her that "we never refuse senators," in a conversation that was recorded, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit does not specify the damages Lear is seeking.

Lara Wendler, Whitmire's legislative director, said Whitmire could not be reached for comment Wednesday because he was traveling. Wendler disputed Lear's account of the evening.

The owner of the Cloak Room could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Lear and her lawyer also could not be reached for comment.

The lawsuit says Whitmire arrived at the Cloak Room on March 8 "acting intoxicated" and with a "glazed look in his eyes." Lear, who was working alone, served him the "J&B and water" that he requested, according to the lawsuit, but gave him a glass of water when he asked for another scotch. Lear told him she couldn't serve another drink because he was intoxicated, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit accuses Whitmire of threatening to call the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and have Lear fired if she didn't serve him another drink.

After Whitmire approached Lear and said he "would have her job," Lear said she would call the police if he didn't settle down, the lawsuit says.

"He responded that the police would not come because all he would have to do was to make a phone call," according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit says Whitmire made more threats and then left.

Wendler said she and four other people were with Whitmire that night at the bar. She said Lear refused to serve Whitmire even one drink and never told him that she thought he was intoxicated.

On the day after Whitmire's visit, according to the lawsuit, the bar manager told Lear that "Sen. Whitmire could kill us." The manager also said "we will never get in trouble in this bar with senators in here. The TABC's not going to come in here," according to the lawsuit.

It's a misdemeanor offense for a bartender to serve a drink to someone who is intoxicated.


TOPICS: Government
KEYWORDS: abovethelaw; bartender; cloak; cultureofcorruption; democratscandals; doyouknowwhoiam; drunk; houston; johnwhitmire; pi; publicintoxication; room; whitmire
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1 posted on 06/21/2007 5:30:03 AM PDT by P-40
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To: P-40

A drunk politician. Imagine that.


2 posted on 06/21/2007 5:31:26 AM PDT by Sig Sauer P220
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To: P-40
It's a misdemeanor offense for a bartender to serve a drink to someone who is intoxicated.

Well, that's the long and short of it right there.

3 posted on 06/21/2007 5:32:01 AM PDT by Oberon (What does it take to make government shrink?)
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To: P-40

I’ve never heard of a ‘lawmaker’, what’s in it?


4 posted on 06/21/2007 5:35:36 AM PDT by stuartcr (Everything happens as God wants it to.....otherwise, things would be different.)
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To: P-40

Whitmire, D-Houston,....

Wow, they actually posted a D beside his name.


5 posted on 06/21/2007 5:37:07 AM PDT by EmilyGeiger
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To: P-40

So Whitmore’s aide said he wasnt drunk.
What the hell do you expect her to say, she needs her job too.

Does anyone think that this woman just decided not to serve a perfectly sober man? I dont. Not for one minute.

The waitresses story makes sense to me its typical of people in power to threaten the little folks. To use their influence against anyone who opposes them.

Why would any bar owner fire a waitress for not serving someone. Was she in the bar alone. Where was the owner? he could have come out and made a decision ,if he thought the man was sober.


6 posted on 06/21/2007 5:37:43 AM PDT by sgtbono2002 (http://www.imwithfred.com/index.aspx)
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To: stuartcr

apparently drunk congresscritters


7 posted on 06/21/2007 5:37:48 AM PDT by Nailbiter
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To: P-40
Good for her. I'd rather be fired than have to live with the guilt I'd feel if the piece of garbage Whitmire were to have gone out and killed someone in his car.

She can always find another job but bringing back someone that's been killed... not very likely.

Besides... I wouldn't want to work for an employer that succumbed to the political pressures of a drunk demoncrap.

8 posted on 06/21/2007 5:38:05 AM PDT by EndWelfareToday (Live free and keep what you earn. - Tancredo or Hunter '08)
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To: EmilyGeiger
Wow, they actually posted a D beside his name.

And in the Houston Chronicle, no less. I'm surprised.
9 posted on 06/21/2007 5:38:18 AM PDT by P-40 (Al Qaeda was working in Iraq. They were just undocumented.)
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To: P-40
The fine Senator.
10 posted on 06/21/2007 5:38:59 AM PDT by arichtaxpayer (We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail.)
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To: stuartcr

A vaccum.


11 posted on 06/21/2007 5:41:57 AM PDT by leadpenny
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To: stuartcr
I’ve never heard of a ‘lawmaker’, what’s in it?

You don't know what a 'lawmaker' is full of?

12 posted on 06/21/2007 5:42:38 AM PDT by MARTIAL MONK
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To: stuartcr

“I’ve never heard of a ‘lawmaker’, what’s in it?”

Mostly lies, greed, deceit, with a generous helping of inflated ego.


13 posted on 06/21/2007 5:42:52 AM PDT by driftdiver
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To: P-40

Another fine “Do you know who I am” moment in the annals of Politics.


14 posted on 06/21/2007 5:43:59 AM PDT by theDentist (Qwerty ergo typo : I type, therefore I misspelll.)
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To: P-40

Lawmakers who use their “high position” to indimidate citizens need to go to jail. Lawmakers in this country have made themselves an elite that has special privileges and is exempt from the law (Ted Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton).


15 posted on 06/21/2007 5:44:30 AM PDT by Leftism is Mentally Deranged
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To: EndWelfareToday

My son is a bartender and I’m amazed how he wields his authority when he needs to. The Captain of the ship


16 posted on 06/21/2007 5:46:04 AM PDT by leadpenny
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To: sgtbono2002
Why would any bar owner fire a waitress for not serving someone.

If the former bartender truly has a recording and her statements about its contents are accurate, her boss liked having the political clientèle and felt protected by them.

If I remember correctly, this is the same bar that Barrientos left when he was busted and his DWI video used in the campaign against him.
17 posted on 06/21/2007 5:46:17 AM PDT by P-40 (Al Qaeda was working in Iraq. They were just undocumented.)
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To: Oberon
"It's a misdemeanor offense for a bartender to serve a drink to someone who is intoxicated."

Well, it does say someone, not anyone. And "some" means you and me, not state senators.

18 posted on 06/21/2007 5:48:15 AM PDT by robertpaulsen
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To: theDentist

Ahh yes, the infamous “do you know who I am” card. It’s one of my favorites too.


19 posted on 06/21/2007 5:48:46 AM PDT by VA_Gentleman (Got a knack for being wrong - Dinosaur Jr.)
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To: Leftism is Mentally Deranged

She must get her job back, plus pay for 10 years, tax free, in one lump sum. Then the criminal in congress must apologize to her for trying to use his “high position” to harass her. No use hoping that he will go to jail - he’s a democrat.


20 posted on 06/21/2007 5:49:54 AM PDT by Leftism is Mentally Deranged
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