Harris v. Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board

This is an appeal by the Director of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (the Department) from a judgment denying mandamus to compel the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board (the Appeals Board) to vacate a portion of its decision reversing the Department’s revocation of the on-sale beer and wine license of Giovanni Belfiore. The principal question presented is whether the Appeals Board exceeded its powers in reversing the Department’s revocation of the license.

Belfiore operated a small pizzeria in San Francisco for which he held an on-sale beer and wine license. He was first…