Pennsylvania casino fined $250K after overserving drunk driver in fatal crash
Mount Airy Casino Resort in Pennsylvania has been fined over $250,000 for overserving alcohol to a customer who later caused a deadly car crash. The incident, which occurred in February 2018, led to the termination of two staff members and the replacement of the casino's general manager.
The patron, Marc Graves, was served eight drinks in just 90 minutes before striking and killing a jogger with his vehicle minutes after leaving the casino.
On February 27, 2018, Marc Graves was served five beers and three shots of liquor between midnight and 7:26 am. Casino policy required a supervisor to intervene if a guest consumed three drinks within an hour, but no supervisor was present. Graves later pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide while driving under the influence and received a prison sentence of three to six years.
An investigation revealed that Mount Airy had failed to install a drink-tracking system, despite purchasing it in 2017 and committing to implement it by July 24 of that year. Records from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board also showed seven alcohol-related incidents at the casino before the fatal crash. Following the incident, the casino terminated Boris Kostikov, the executive director of food and beverage, and a beverage shift manager. The general manager at the time, John Culetsu, was also replaced. Mount Airy had previously faced fines of $25,000 and $15,000 for other alcohol-related violations.
The casino now faces a fine exceeding $250,000 for its role in the fatal crash. The case highlights repeated failures in enforcing alcohol service policies. The penalties come after multiple prior incidents and unfulfilled promises to improve oversight.
