Pawtucket board fines nightclub $500 after rescue delay; owner accepts responsibility

A formal hearing addressed an incident at Nubai Restaurant & Bar (434 Broadway) on January 4 in which video and police reports showed staff and security assisting a patron who had fallen in the venue’s parking area. Solicitor Milos summarized the review of evidence and said that, while police found no criminal assault or disorderly conduct, video suggested staff placed the injured patron into the rear seat of a pickup truck and drove a short distance across the street prior to the arrival of rescue personnel. Pawtucket Fire & Rescue later removed the patron from the vehicle for transport.

Counsel for the licensee, Attorney Monica Horan, and licensee Aderito Viera told the board the staff immediately contacted 911 and tried to assist the patron; they said their intent was to help rather than endanger the patron. Viera acknowledged that, in hindsight, moving the patron may have been an error of judgment and said he accepted responsibility.

After discussion, the board accepted a negotiated disposition: the licensee admitted the single violation under state law pertaining to endangering public safety, agreed to pay a $500 fine within 30 days, and the board imposed no suspension. Board members emphasized that future incidents handled similarly could carry more severe penalties, including suspension. The board recorded the plea and the fine in its minutes.