Jersey Shore Ban Following Deena Cortese Arrest and $15,000 Fine
Former "Jersey Shore" star Deena Cortese has been banned from a Mexican cantina that was charged with serving her an excess amount of alcohol.
Deena Cortese caused trouble for one small cantina off the Jersey shore after she was spotted leaving the restaurant "visibly intoxicated" before heading for the boardwalk and returning to the restaurant a short time later. The incident occurred on June 10, before news had arrived that the show would be canceled.
Spicy Cantina & Mexican Grill was fined $15,000 for Cortese's drunken stupor and Cortese was put on a 2-year ban from the restaurant. The MTV film crew spent 90 minutes filming at the location, during which time the incident occurred. Deena was also seen walking on one of the restaurant benches, falling to the floor, and then continuing on to a second bench were patrons of the restaurant were sitting.
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"This settlement is a cautionary tale for licensees who might think ignoring the law for the sake of air time is good for business," Michael Halfacre, the division's director told The Washington Post. "By turning a blind eye to the mayhem that can be associated with reality television, you are risking your livelihood. That is, without a doubt, bad for business."
Meanwhile, the restaurant has been unwilling to comment on the charges filed. Following the incident, Cortese, 25, was arrested by Seaside Heights police. She was seen dancing in the middle of the streets in addition to the middle of a street intersection. Upon arrest, Cortese admitted that she had been drinking for most of the day.
"At a municipal court appearance a month later, she pleaded guilty to failing to use the sidewalk and paid a $106 fine," The Post reported. "Cortese apologized to the court, then got a talking-to from her mother."
