NEW YORK — The Justice Department has convened a federal grand jury as part of a criminal investigation into Sherry-Lehmann Wine & Spirits, the venerable New York City wine merchant, according to former employees who have been contacted by authorities.
A spokesperson for the U.S. attorney’s office declined to comment. Representatives of the FBI, which is involved in the investigation; the Postal Service; and the New York Police Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Gilmer previously denied that Sherry-Lehmann sold wine while its license was suspended, saying the real estate investor simply wanted his wine transferred from Wine Caves to another storage facility. Gilmer didn’t address why a Sherry-Lehmann invoice listed the transaction as a sale.
Gilmer started at Sherry-Lehmann as a temporary worker before becoming a full-time salesperson and eventually a co-owner. Green is a former hedge fund executive and Sherry-Lehmann customer who became co-owner in 2013. Sherry-Lehmann’s Park Avenue store has been closed since March. Andrus said it would reopen soon. Wine Spectator magazine recently reported that Sherry-Lehmann’s landlord planned to move to evict the store unless it paid $3.6 million in back rent by June 16. Andrus said Friday that Sherry-Lehmann “has met its rent obligations.”