Brookhaven board moves to executive session; written decision on Medusa license expected within 10 days

After several hours of testimony and argument, the Brookhaven Alcohol Licensing Board moved to executive session to deliberate whether to act on the city’s allegations about Medusa Restaurant Lounge. The motion to go into executive session carried, with the board announcing it would provide a written decision within 10 days rather than issuing a verbal ruling that evening.

Why it matters: The board’s forthcoming written decision will determine whether the city’s review—based on social-media screenshots, two video clips and testimony that linked persons and promotions at Medusa to gang identifiers—results in enforcement, suspension or revocation of the venue’s alcohol license.

What happened in the hearing: City investigators and the city’s crime analyst presented screenshots, photos and two admitted video clips the detective described as showing gang identifiers at Medusa events; Medusa’s counsel argued the city’s ordinance and the state statutory scheme do not support revocation for the facts shown and raised evidentiary and constitutional objections.

What’s next: The board recessed into executive session and directed staff to prepare a written decision to be released to the parties and posted within 10 days.