Sheriff: Criminal charges won’t be filed against Rick Savage

May 3, 2020 in News, Video by RBN Staff

Rick Savage, the owner of Sunday River Brewing Company, addresses reporters outside of his restaurant on Friday afternoon. Dozens of people lined up outside after he appeared on Fox News on Thursday to say he would open to dine-in customers in violation of a state order.

source: www.pressherald.com
BY JON BOLDUC , MATTHEW DAIGLE SUN JOURNAL AND KEITH EDWARDS KENNEBEC JOURNAL

Rick Savage, owner of Sunday River Brewing Co. in Bethel, opened up Friday despite Gov. Janet Mills’ executive order, but has since said the restaurant would be closed through the weekend. Savage was also a speaker at a rally in Augusta on Saturday demanding the state’s economy be reopened.

BETHEL — The owner of Sunday River Brewing Co. in Bethel will not face charges after he defied the governor’s executive “stay safer at home” orders and opened the restaurant to diners Friday afternoon.

Oxford County Sheriff Christopher Wainwright said criminal charges are not expected to be filed against Rick Savage after an eventful couple days in which he appeared Thursday on the Tucker Carlson show on Fox News to say he would open his business despite Gov. Janet Mills’ orders. He then proceeded to open his doors for customers on Friday, as promised, and by 4:45 p.m. the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations had seized Savage’s health license, and in effect his liquor license.

Late in the day Savage was still defiant, saying he would stay open unlicensed and simply pay whatever fines he accrued.