License commission finds violation at Jolo Inc.; license suspended until paperwork and manager approved

The City of Worcester License Commission on Sept. 4 found that Jolo Inc., the licensee at 350 Selkirk Street, committed violations tied to unapproved changes in corporate officers and directors and insufficient local filings, and the commission voted to keep the license suspended until required paperwork and a manager appointment are filed and approved.

Sergeant Thomas Needham of the Worcester Police Department summarized the commission's review, noting prior hearings on Sept. 5 and Sept. 19, 2024, and additional hearings in April, June and July 2025 where the commission asked the licensee to file an application for a change of officers and directors. Needham said the commission's records showed changes on the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website that had not been approved locally or by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABCC). He reported that as of July 28, 2025, no local application for the change had been filed with the License Commission.

Attorney Howard D'Amico, representing the licensee, told the commission that his client "would concede the violation occurred." D'Amico and representatives in the room (identified as Scottie Forman and Loretta O'Grady) acknowledged the paperwork gap and said they would consult with Deborah Steele in the Office of Inspectional Services to determine which documents were needed locally so the commission could set a hearing and forward filings to the state. The commission recorded that the licensee had voluntarily closed earlier.

After hearing the report and the licensee's concession, the commission voted to find a violation occurred and then voted to suspend the license until the following conditions are met: (1) appointment and approval of a proposed manager; and (2) submission and approval of amended local paperwork for change of officers and directors and any related state filings. Commission members Maritza Cruz and Sharron Fisher voted yes and Chair Anthony Vigliotti joined, making both motions unanimous (3-0).

Commission staff said the typical timeline for local processing and police vetting would be about 3–4 weeks after the applicant files the complete paperwork; with state review the office estimates 4–6 weeks total to complete local and state approvals. The commission indicated it would schedule a status hearing after the paperwork is submitted and reviewed.

The commission made explicit that the absence of an approved manager and the missing local filings were the practical barriers preventing the licensed premise from reopening. D'Amico indicated his intent to meet with Ms. Steele to begin the process; the commission set an administrative schedule and reiterated that local approval is required before the ABCC reviews and signs off.