State fines Md. liquor chain for selling below minimum price

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection is fining a Maryland-based liquor store chain $37,500 for violating state law on minimum pricing of alcohol.

The chain, Total Wine & More, currently is suing the state in federal court, challenging the decades-old law that prohibits retailers from selling wine and liquor below a minimum price.

The Connecticut Package Store Association recently filed a formal complaint, accusing Total Wine & More of already selling below the minimum price. The association has successfully fended up numerous legislative attempts to scrap the law.

A spokesman for Total Wine & More didn’t immediately return a message Thursday.

The Department of Consumer Protection says the Bethesda, Maryland-based chain agreed to immediately stop advertising and sales of alcoholic liquor below the minimum price at its four Connecticut locations.

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