Brick House Named in State Investigation of Liquor Scams

The Brick House, an upscale Wyckoff restaurant and catering hall, is one of 29 New Jersey bars accused of pulling a switch on patrons, selling low-end liquors from high-end bottles and charging customers the higher price, the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control announced Wednesday.

A release from the division alleges that the bars, located throughout the state, had been "filling premium brand bottles with non-premium brands in an effort to fool the customer and increase their profits."

"Operation Swill," as the year-long probe was named, involved over a hundred investigators compiling information from customer complains, informants, and covert liquor test samplings taken by detectives.

The division also seized inventories and served demands for inventory records Wednesday for some of the 29 establishments.

Also listed among the bars and restaurants accused of engaging in the practice are 13 TGI Fridays locations around the state.

Brick House owner Aldo Cascio declined to comment when reached Thursday afternoon.