The FBI has raided a renowned New York wine shop. Federal agents are currently investigating Sherry-Lehmann after the company was accused of not delivering over a million dollars' worth of wine to customers.
The news
The well-known New York wine shop, Sherry-Lehmann, was recently raided by the FBI, as reported by the New York Post and Robb Report. This action followed news earlier in the year that the store hadn't delivered over a million dollars in wine to customers, along with other legal troubles that the 88-year-old institution has recently faced.
Sources informed the NY Post that federal agents arrived at the store in the morning and remained until evening. People were seen carrying boxes out of the store, and a former employee told the press agency that the FBI was likely examining Sherry-Lehmann's computer system and all records kept within the store. An FBI agent who entered the wine shop confirmed to the Post that they had been there for hours but wouldn't disclose what they were looking for. An FBI spokesperson later declined to comment, while Shyda Gilmer and Kris Green, the owners of Sherry-Lehmann, didn't respond to the publication's questions.
The famous wine shop, frequented by celebrities like Mick Jagger and Greta Garbo, came under scrutiny in late May when the New York Times reported that the store had yet to deliver fine wines to individuals who had already paid for their purchases. In addition to this accusation, Sherry-Lehmann had $2.8 million in unpaid sales taxes and the owners were also accused of selling wine from private cellars to other customers.
The store closed at the beginning of March after its liquor license expired and, though the license was subsequently reinstated, Sherry-Lehmann never reopened. The Post noted that the company's website was down during the July 4th weekend and that Eric Andrus, the company spokesperson until May, stated he no longer worked for Sherry-Lehmann.
"The FBI is conducting its investigations into the company along with the New York Police Department and the United States Postal Inspection Service," a USPIS spokesperson told the New York Post. The New York State Liquor Authority is also conducting an investigation into the wine shop. Once the results of these investigations are made public, we may discover what the FBI uncovered during its recent raid on the store.
Cover photo: @Ramin Talaie-Bloomberg
