G.J.T., Inc. v. Boston Licensing Board

These cases bring to the court a dispute pertaining to the authority to license entertainment in the city of Boston. That authority is claimed by the mayor of Boston, through the mayor’s office of consumer affairs and licensing, also known as the licensing division (division), on one side, and the Boston Licensing Board (board), a body whose members are appointed by the Governor, on the other.

Before the court are four consolidated cases, variously pitting combinations of the two governmental parties and potential licensees against each other. Cross motions for summary judgment were filed by…