On Thursday I finally aired a report that took more than four months of research: I found numerous people with multiple DWIs licensed by the state to serve alcohol.You can see the full report here.
I found one man named Stephen Pfeffer who was arrested on his 5th DWI, according to court documents. He has an active server license he received after his third DWI conviction.
I also found one server named Derek Minero who appeared apathetic about his pending DWI case by drinking at work. He was caught with the hidden camera drinking beer at il Vicino. Minero has a standing order by a judge "not to consume" alcohol. He goes back to court in December.
Essentially, the story focused on the fact that repeat drunk drivers are allowed, under the eyes of the state's Regulation and Licensing Department, to serve a product they potentially abuse themselves.
The state explains in my piece there is no law that prohibits an applicant with alcohol problems from getting a license to serve it.
Basically someone with 20 DWI's can take a state certified server course, pass the test, and get a license to legally serve alcohol.
In the past I've done stories that have prompted a change in the law. I'm not sure if this will happen here. But I do think this story "struck a nerve" as one viewer put it.
Positive remarks came from law enforcement, viewers, and journalists at other media outlets.
Anonymous feedback on KOB's topic boards is quite negative. I assume many of the posters writing under the veil of anonymity are likely friends and family of the repeat drunk drivers profiled in my piece, if not the offenders themselves.
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