WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES JANUARY 7, 2021 3
NYC Sheriff’s Office busts illegal New Year’s
bash where hundreds gathered in Maspeth bar
BY ROBERT POZARYCKI
RPOZARYCKI@QNS.COM
@ROBBPOZ
An illegal New Year’s party in Maspeth that
attracted hundreds of people was busted
by the New York City Sheriff’s Office early
on New Year’s Day.
Four individuals were arrested at the illegal
rave for various violations of health and safety
codes, as well as emergency orders related to the
COVID-19 pandemic, the sheriff ’s office tweeted
on Jan. 1.
Around 2 a.m. on Jan. 1, deputies figuratively
turned out the lights on more than 300 people
gathered for a New Year’s bash at the Maspeth
Bar/Lounge at 55-30 58th St. in Maspeth.
The party violated various city and state
COVID-19 emergency orders, which prohibit
gatherings of more than 10 people inside locations
and forbid alcohol service at any location
after 10 p.m. nightly, among other items. The
owner faces fines of up to $15,000.
The location also lacked a proper license to
serve and store liquor, as well as an obstructed
egress and various other health code violations,
the sheriff ’s office indicated in a tweet.
The deputies also saw more than 25 people enter
the premises through an emergency exit that
had been locked from the outside. More than 300
people inside the location drank, sang karaoke
NYC sheriff ’s offi cers outside the Maspeth Bar/Lounge on 58th Street on Jan. 1, 2021.
Photo courtesy of NYC Sheriff ’s Offi ce
and danced without observing mask and social
distancing requirements.
The remaining partygoers at the lounge were
sent home.
Four individuals at the Queens party were
taken into custody on various charges related to
the operation of the illegal bottle club: Man Phan,
37, of Franklin Square, Long Island (identified
as the bar owner); He Bin Wang, 37, of Franklin
Square (Phan’s wife); Guowei Lin, 44, of Fresh
Meadows, Queens (DJ); and Fang Zou, 35, of Borough
Park, Brooklyn (employee).
NYC, masks and social
distancing are working!
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even with no symptoms, to keep reducing the spread.
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