Denial of Storey County saloon licenses upheld

The Nevada Supreme Court has upheld Storey County’s refusal to issue liquor and a business license to the owner of the Delta and Bonanza Saloons in Virginia City.

Dr. Vincent Maltifano bought the two businesses, which include gambling licenses, but the Nevada Gaming Commission denied his applications for gaming licenses to operate them. After that, the county liquor board rejected his applications for liquor licenses.

Maltifano sued, arguing the county denials were arbitrary in violation of his rights and due process protections. He argued the liquor board’s rules were unconstitutionally vague.

But the high court panel of Justices Ron Parraguirre, Jim Hardesty and Lidia Stiglich disagreed, ruling the liquor board has broad discretion in deciding whether to grant a license to some one and the county ordinances it operates under are constitutional.

The opinion by Parraguirre states the liquor board was well aware Maltifano’s gaming license applications were denied because the dentist failed to disclose items including lawsuits, foreclosures, delinquent tax payments and liens as well as employment-related issues — factors that played into the board’s denial vote.