Mayor Whitmire teaming up with HPD, others to crack down on bad actors in Houston nightlife

3 days ago

The Brief
From July 17 - 19, Houston Mayor John Whitmire, HPD, HFD, HHD, Public Works and others tag along to inspect nightclubs and bars in Houston.
13 inspections were held in the Heights area, most of Washington.
City Council and a Washington Avenue business owner responded to city's efforts.
HOUSTON - The City of Houston says they are cracking down on nightclubs and bars who are not following compliance and safety requirements.
City of Houston cracking down on nightclubs, bars not following compliance rules
The Crime Protection Team Club Unit visited multiple clubs and bars in the heights area and along Washington Avenue.
A few Heights area clubs and bars got a visit from Mayor Whitmire and the Club Unit over the weekend, each one of them was given more than just a fair warning.
By the numbers
Bar/Club Stats
Inspections: 13
Citations: 115
Warnings: 12
Arrests: 2 Misdemeanor (Failure to Comply with Local Health or Sanitary Laws)
Bars/Clubs Closed: 5
DWI Enforcement Stats
Traffic Stops: 104
Citations: 91
Warnings: 43
DWI Arrests: 8
Other Arrests: 3
Bar/Club Inspection Details:
Zen Lounge – 5316 Washington Ave
HPD – Arrest x 2 for Failure to Comply with Local Health or Sanitary Laws
Health – Citations x 15
Closed by Health for unauthorized food service
Closed by Public Works for invalid Certificate of Occupancy
2 Cana – 5310 Washington Ave
No violations noted
3. Bar 5306 – 5306 Washington Ave Ste C
Closed by Public Works for invalid Certificate of Occupancy
4. Fuego's – 817 Durham Dr
Health – Citations x 15
HPD – Warnings x 3
5. Tokyo Joe's Shot Bar – 2001 Beall St
HFD – Citation x 1
HPD – Warnings x 3
Health – Warning x 1
Public Works – follow up investigation required into built out loft and large attached garage
6. BLVD Park – 1119 W 20th St
HPD – Citations x 12
Health – Warning x 1
HFD – Citation x 1
7. Say No Mas – 1217 W 20th St
HPD – Citations x 9
Health – Warning x 1
HFD – Citations x 3 and closed kitchen due to unpermitted gas
Public Works – follow up required into built on mobile chef unit attached to building
8. Austin's Backyard – 1221 W 20th St
HPD – Warning x 3
Health – Citations x 9
9. XO – 5023 Washington Ave
HPD – Citations x 29
HFD – Citation x 1
Closed by Health for unauthorized food service
Closed by Public Works and HFD for invalid Certificate of Occupancy
10. Lincoln Bar – 5110 Washington Ave
HPD – Citations x 3
Health – Citation x 1
ARA – Citation x 1
Closed by HFD due to fire at location
11. Bar 5306 – 5306 Washington Ave Ste C
HPD – Citation x 3
12. Sidebar – 5317 Washington Ave
Health – Citation x 3
ARA – Citation x 3
13. Luxx – 5002 Washington Ave
HPD – Citations x 6
Closed by Health for unauthorized food service
What they're saying
City Councilmember Abbie Kamin and Washington Avenue business owner speak out about the Mayor's efforts
"We are not anti-business in Houston. Business is the backbone of our city, but there are a few of these bad actors that are making a big problem for a lot of people and putting a strain specifically on law enforcement resources," said Councilmember Abbie Kamin. "Every time there is an inspection, the health department is involved, the fire department is involved."
"When we are talking about a club that has been shut down or a bar that has been shut down, there have been clear issues with safety and health that have been found," said Councilmember Kamin. "There are some clubs and bars that do have valid certificates of occupancy, but they may not be keeping up with safety measures, like sprinkler systems. When you hear about issues, we deal a lot with in District C is loud noise."
The owner of Prison Break Tattoos on Washington Avenue says she's happy to see it, because her business relies on foot traffic, but she wants it to be safe.
"I mean there is quite a bit of activity here, especially during the midnight hours. People tend to get a little crazy and that part is appreciated, and again we want everyone to enjoy themselves out here and be safe," said Jen Finberg, "Some of the frustrations is when they see these businesses, and they park along the whole street, so people can't get in our place of business, and we can't conduct business, and it plugs up the whole - traffic and things like that so it interferes with our livelihood."
The Source
FOX 26 Reporter Leslie DelasBour has more on what occurred over the weekend.
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OXFORD GRAY NORTH AMERICA CORP ("OXFORD GRAY") RECENTLY FILED BREACH OF CONTRACT LAWSUIT FOR OVER $9 MILLION AGAINST AUSTIN, TEXAS-BASED COMPANY, FINTIV, ALSO KNOWN AS MOZIDO, OWNED AND LED BY MICHAEL LIBERTY ["Liberty"]

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OXFORD GRAY NORTH AMERICA CORP ("OXFORD GRAY") RECENTLY FILED BREACH OF CONTRACT LAWSUIT FOR OVER $9 MILLION AGAINST AUSTIN, TEXAS-BASED COMPANY, FINTIV, ALSO KNOWN AS MOZIDO, OWNED AND LED BY MICHAEL LIBERTY ["Liberty"]

WASHINGTON, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Oxford Gray Corporation recently filed a lawsuit in Austin, Texas, for over $9 million for breach of contract against the Austin-based company, Fintiv (also known as 'Mozido'), which Michael Liberty led and controlled. [See HERE. Case D-1-G-N-25-004633, 6/27/2025, Travis County, Texas, 345th Travis Co. Texas] Allegations by Oxford Gray in the Austin case Fintiv, the Austin, Texas-based company, formerly known as 'Mozido,' led and controlled by Michael Liberty, borrowed a total of $5 million under a series of Promissory Notes ('Notes') evidencing loans by plaintiff Oxford Gray Corp. to Fintiv. The notes were subject to payment of principal and interest due as per the repayment schedule set forth in the Notes. Oxford Gray alleges in the recently filed Texas case that Fintiv defaulted on timely payments under the Notes and therefore is in breach of contract and owes more than $9 million in unpaid principal and interest due under the Notes. For Texas case, see HERE. In a separate case filed in October 2024 in Florida, Oxford Gray alleges that Michael Liberty signed a personal guaranty for one of the Promissory Notes at issue in the Austin case and is requiring Liberty to honor his personal guarantee of that Note. See HERE. Icarus Cap. Corp. and Oxford Gray Corp. v. Fintiv and Michael Liberty, individual, 5-21-2025, #223582, Fla. 9th Judicial Cir., Orange Co. Fla, Case No. 2024 CA 009041-O. The complaint filed in Texas begins as follows, to provide context for the case: 'This case stems from Fintiv's failure to repay a series of promissory notes entered into with Oxford Gray…as part of what the U.S. Department of Justice described as a 'scheme to defraud' investors that resulted in a 2019 criminal indictment of Liberty.' Oxford Gray attached a copy of the Liberty criminal indictment as an exhibit to, and relevant to, the Oxford Gray / Austin, Texas case. See February 27, 2019, Maine federal indictment of Michael Liberty HERE. However, Lanny J. Davis, a Washington D.C. attorney and outside legal advisor to the plaintiff in the case, Oxford Gray North America Corp., said it is only fair to point out that Mr. Liberty's 2019 indictment and a 2016 prior guilty plea for violating federal campaign finance laws were both discharged as a result of the February 2021 pardon of Mr. Liberty by President Trump. See President Trump's pardon of Mr. Liberty HERE. Davis also pointed out that the presidential pardon does not interrupt an ongoing 2018 civil enforcement case against Liberty by the US Securities and Exchange Commission ('SEC') alleging a 'scheme to defraud' -- nor block the continuation of this breach of contract case filed by Oxford Gray in Austin, Texas. See SEC complaint filed against Michael Liberty for scheme to defraud investors and other allegations HERE. Davis added: 'My client Oxford Gray hopes and believes that justice will be done and that Mr. Liberty will be required to comply with his written personal guarantee of loans made to Fintiv.' Attorney Lanny Davis is a legal advisor to the plaintiff Oxford Gray North America Corp. He is a Washington D.C. attorney, founder of the law firm Lanny J. Davis & Associates, has been a practicing attorney for more than 40 years, and also served as a White House Special Counsel to President Bill Clinton and served on a bipartisan privacy and civil liberties panel appointed by President George W. Bush. View original content: SOURCE Oxford Gray North America Corp.

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