Direct Shipping

[anna]

A few updates -- I'll do my best to keep people posted on what's going on with this issue. Sorry if this duplicates stuff that you already know; in the future, I'll try to be a bit more current. Feel free to e-mail me any comments/questions!

In VA: I just received a transcript of an oral hearing regarding the Defendant's (the bad guys) Motion to Dismiss. The Virginia ABC tried to couch the shipment issue in terms of compliance with VA's labelling requirements (head scratch...), but the good guys reminded the court that the BATF already has labelling requirements and background checks. The judge denied the Motion to Dismiss and is allowing the case to go forward. Just from the judge's brief comments (e.g. his statement re: the ABC's "inflated prices"), it appears the Court is leaning toward our side in VA as well.

In MI (my home state): Attorney General Jennifer Granholm continues her undercover sting operations using underage detectives to buy alcohol online. She has already filed criminal charges against two Illinois merchants and got UPS to agree not to ship into Michigan.

On the Hill: The Senate Judiciary Committee approved a version of S.577 (allowing states to pursue illegal shippers in federal court) that includes language explicitly spelling out that the law is not meant to discriminate against out-of-state shipments. The bill now goes to the Senate floor. Although the wholesaler lobby considers this a victory, the added language now puts the shipping issue squarely in the courts.

Also: Gallo has filed a "friend of the court" brief in the IN lawsuit supporting the wholesalers (gasp!). Shame shame shame...

Anna