The Baltimore County Liquor Board yesterday ordered a one-week license suspension for a White Marsh bar where female dancers were accused of baring too much flesh -- the second such violation this year for the Excape Lounge. And the owners' troubles aren't over.

The seven-day suspension, which starts tomorrow, came after county vice detectives visited the Pulaski Highway bar July 15 and found women were dancing nude in an upstairs room open only to certain patrons.

Police said the women encouraged male and female patrons to touch and fondle them for tips on what one female employee called "anything goes night." County law prohibits nude dancers and physical contact between dancers and patrons.

The incident followed similar liquor code violations in January and February that drew a $150 fine in April.

The board has yet to hold a hearing on allegations that dancers were behaving in a similar manner when police visited the bar Aug. 28.

Licensees Mary and Louis DiPasquale and George A. Storm may have gotten off easy at Monday's hearing, at which the board could have revoked the bar's license.

The board heard no testimony from police witnesses and asked few questions of Louis DiPasquale, the only person to testify.

Although DiPasquale testified that no licensees were at the bar during the police visit July 15, police said after the hearing that Storm was present that night. DiPasquale said he knew nothing of the second-floor activities until notified by the board.

He said his managers deceived him and held a semi-private party that "got out of hand." He fired several employees after receiving the board's charges he said. He promised that "it will never happen again."

At one point in the hearing, board Chairman Philip R. Leyhe Jr. said: "This is a very serious violation. I don't believe I've sat on a case like this before."

The owners refused to comment further after the hearing.

Pub Date: 9/15/98