State may revoke accused liquor license speculator’s permit

State alcohol and tobacco officials are considering revoking a liquor license of a northwest Indiana man accused of buying a license and trying to sell it for a profit, which is prohibited under the state's administrative code.

If Slobodan Lakich were to lose his license, it would likely be the first administrative action against an alleged liquor license speculator in Indiana history, The Indianapolis Star reported. Lakich, who has run several bars in Lake County with his wife, has denied the allegation.

Lakich obtained the license for $9,000 during an auction last November in which the state sold a record 250 new alcohol permits and brought in about $3.8 million.

Jenny Drewry, an administrative prosecutor with the Indiana Alcohol & Tobacco Commission, said Lakich tried to sell the license for $30,000 two months later to a man named Dragan Suvocesmakovic who wanted to open a bar in Merrillville.

As a commission hearing judge considers what action to take, the state is preparing to auction off 25 licenses on Tuesday. Most states ban speculation out of concern that it keeps licenses off the market, drives up permit prices and deprives the government of permit fees.

Travis Thickstun, a spokesman for the alcohol commission, contends speculation rarely occurs in Indiana.

Alcohol commission records show Lakich put in nine bids for licenses, which was more than companies that sell alcohol across the state or a chain of Indianapolis-based liquor stores sought. Some others sought 20 to 30 licenses. Lakich won only one license.

Lakich declined to comment to the newspaper and attempts by The Associated Press to reach him Sunday were unsuccessful. The only telephone listing for Slobodan Lakich in Indiana rang unanswered.

During last month's hearing to revoke his license, Lakich said he didn't intend to sell his license to Suvocesmakovic, despite language to the contrary in the sales agreement.

Records show the application for the license showed Lakich as the sole owner of the business owned by Suvocesmakovic. The local board unanimously approved the application, pending a final inspection of the premises.

Suvocesmakovic told The Star he didn't attend the board hearing because Lakich told him he didn't need to. Suvocesmakovic thought the license had been transferred to his name, but instead it was approved under Lakich's name, but at Suvocesmakovic's address.

R.J. O'Hara, a Pittsburgh attorney whose firm monitors liquor licensing requirements across the country, said Indiana is a relatively easy place to get a permit. He said Indiana doesn't require applicants to submit a lease or proof that they own the premises.

"The majority of states require that," he said.

Suvocesmakovic became suspicious and learned licenses aren't supposed to be sold for profit. He wrote two letters to the alcohol commission, prompting an excise police investigation.

In a March report, Officer Aussie Thompson wrote that it was "clear that Lakich had intentions of buying the above mentioned permit and speculating to sell it for a profit."

Suvocesmakovic said the ordeal has put him through "a lot of financial and psychological pain." He's been told if he wants to try to get a license, he is going to have to bid for one.