The city of New York has issued a restraining order against Damon Dash’s art gallery DD172, for allegedly selling liquor without a license.
Damon Dash (former business partner of rapper Jay-Z) opened the DD172 gallery in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York in the fall of 2009.
The four-story building housed an art gallery; a photography and recording studio, and rehearsal and performance space for a number of indie bands.
According to the Village Voice newspaper, Damon Dash and his associates are accused of 6 counts of storing and selling alcoholic beverages without a license.
Investigators found workers at the DD172 gallery selling liquor without a license several times, with one violation occurring as recently as May.
The city has also labeled the DD172 gallery a “nuisance,” and believes it could be a “front” for an illegal club.
According to The Voice, Damon Dash and associates had vacated the DD172 premises in June.
The news comes on the heels of last month’s revelation that Damon Dash owes almost $2,000,000 in back taxes to the IRS.
Damon Dash is expected to appear in court on September 14th to answer the six charges of selling alcoholic beverages without a license.
