Olive Garden admits to serving alcohol to minors

During a recent government meeting, the Olive Garden Italian Restaurant in California, Maryland, faced scrutiny for serving alcohol to a minor, a violation of Maryland's alcoholic beverage regulations. The incident occurred on March 21, 2024, when a confidential informant, posing as an 18-year-old, was able to purchase alcohol at the establishment as part of an enforcement check conducted by the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office.

The restaurant's representatives, including Lindsey Koren, Veronica Miles, and Colleen Lyons, acknowledged the violation during the proceedings. They admitted to selling alcohol to the underage informant, which is a breach of both the Maryland Annotated Code and the local Alcohol Beverage Board regulations.

The meeting included testimonies from the involved parties, with legal representation from Leanne Schreckengas of Royston, Mullen, McLane, and Reed. The sheriff's office confirmed that the compliance check was conducted with a confidential informant and an officer in civilian clothing, who observed the transaction.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding alcohol sales to minors and the enforcement of compliance checks in the region. The outcome of this meeting and any potential penalties for the Olive Garden will be determined in subsequent sessions.