Following a weekend incident that ended with the stabbing of two people, allegedly while inside Jacques’ Bar, the establishment’s owners are taking action against the city of Vicksburg.

The suit alleges that, in closing the bar on three separate occasions since June 2020, the city deprived plaintiff Refined South Restaurant Group, LLC, which operates Jacques’, of its property without the due process to which it is entitled pursuant to the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution.

On Monday, Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said the bar was closed by Police Chief Penny Jones and would not reopen until the owners met with him and Jones to discuss a plan to provide better security and safety for customers.

Fight reported at 1:40 a.m., April 17

According to initial reports, officers responding to the fight at Jacques’ arrived to find a woman with a cut over her left eye and another woman with cuts, a stab wound in the center of her forehead and bruises. Both women were taken to the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The injuries were not considered life-threatening.

The fight occurred at about 1:40 a.m. on Easter Sunday and involved several people. Jones said police are working to identify the combatants. As of Tuesday, the police chief confirmed that a suspect vehicle had been identified, but that the Vicksburg Police Department was still working to identify individuals involved in the skirmish.

According to the filing by Vicksburg attorney Kenneth Rector in the United States District Court, Southern District of Mississippi, Northern Division, the defendants (Flaggs and Aldermen Alex Monsour and Michael Mayfield) “wrongfully and without legal authority ordered the closing of Plaintiff’s business on grounds that Plaintiff, or its employees, allegedly violated unspecified laws or ordinances in the operation of its business or somehow allegedly allowed or condoned illegal acts to be committed by customers on Plaintiff’s business premises.”

Due Process Denied

However, no criminal or civil claims have been brought or proven against Refined South Restaurant Group, LLC, its owner Jay Parmegiani or any of its employees in any judicial or administrative forum, the suit read. None of Jacques’ Bar’s customers have been arrested by law enforcement in or on the premises in the most recent 12-month period.

Parmegiani is also the owner of 10South Rooftop Restaurant, also located in downtown Vicksburg.

In addition to the closure of the bar, the suit also alleges that the city of Vicksburg has now denied Refined South Restaurant Group, LLC, the right to renew its privilege license to conduct business in the city of Vicksburg unless and until Parmegiani and his associates agree to certain demands imposed by the city, “which demands or prerequisites are not authorized by any applicable law, ordinance or statute.”

According to Section 3-12 of the city’s Code of Ordinances, “In the event of any disturbance, uprising, or riot, or any other emergency threatening life, property or public safety, the chief of police or the chief of the fire department may order any licensed place in the city where beer, light wine or alcoholic beverages are consumed, sold or otherwise dispensed to be closed for the period of such emergency.”

According to police reports, officers responding to a reported fight at Jacques arrived to find two women with stab wounds.

Allegations of Defamation

The second issue raised in the suit alleges that Flaggs publicly defamed the restaurant group through comments in public meetings and through news media outlets.

The suit states that the statements “damaged, disparaged, and slandered the business reputation of the Plaintiff” and “falsely stated that Plaintiff condoned and allowed unlawful activity to occur inside Plaintiff’s business.”

Recent statements by Flaggs that Jacques’ Bar was a public nuisance were also referenced, and the suit accused Flaggs of publicly alleging that rampant, uncontrolled street violence throughout the city of Vicksburg is the result of activity within Jacques’ Bar.

These statements are defamatory in part, the filing read, because Flaggs had full knowledge that neither Jacques’ Bar nor its employees have been charged administratively or otherwise with any such violation of alcohol control or other laws or regulations. The statements, according to the suit, were made with the intent to deter the public from patronizing the bar.

Counts I and II

The filing concludes by stating Refined South Restaurant Group is seeking a declaratory injunction and judgment as part of Count I, declaring the actions of Flaggs and the city to be unlawful, and further enjoining the city from continuing in its attempt to interfere with the operation of Parmegiani’s business without legal basis to do so.

Count II is seeking compensatory damages for the violation of Refined South Restaurant Group’s constitutional rights and damages for Flaggs’ “slanderous” statements.

Flaggs speaks on violence again

In his address to attendees at the Vicksburg-Warren Chamber of Commerce’s April Luncheon on Wednesday, Flaggs said he had a “zero-tolerance” policy when it comes to crime and referenced the allegations in the suit filed against him and the city.

“(They) accuse me of trying to shut down businesses because I want law and order in the city. I want to protect you,” he said. “I will never violate anybody’s 14th amendment rights, and I’ll never close down a business without reason.

“I’ll shut them down, shut them down, shut them down one by one all the way at the same time for you. It ain’t for me,” Flaggs said. “We’re going to protect and serve, and with the crime and the police department, I want a police department where the officers are trained enough that they know they got to protect and serve with honor and dignity and integrity. … I’m gonna do everything in my God-given power to shut it down.”

On Thursday afternoon, Flaggs issued a public statement regarding the issue and referencing the city code.

“The Board of Mayor and Aldermen for the City of Vicksburg welcomes the lawful operation of businesses in the City of Vicksburg. However, the City must ensure that the operation of the business is not detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of any person patronizing the business,” the statement read. “On April 17, 2022, acts of violence occurred at Jacques’ which resulted in persons being injured while inside the facility. Based on a city ordinance, Vicksburg Police Chief Penny Jones had the lawful authority to order that Jacques’ be closed.”

Flaggs went on to state that Parmegiani, Rector and other parties connected to Refined South Restaurant Group LLC failed to appear for a meeting to potentially resolve the issue.

“Chief Jones then set a meeting with the Mayor, the owner of Jacques’, his legal representative, and the city attorney to attempt to establish a plan for the continued operation of the business while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the establishment’s patrons,” the statement read. “The owner and his legal representative failed to appear for this meeting. The city will continue ensuring that all persons in this community are safe and protected and will take all measures to do so.”

To view the complete filed complaint, click here.