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Health director Julie Federman released details so the board had the information for a vote on College Pizza's license.

(Diane Lederman/The Republican)

AMHERST - Health director Julie Federman said she was reluctant to provide the sordid details to the Board of Health about College Pizza worker Mishu Fam but she wanted members to understand the seriousness of the issues.

The board Tuesday revoked the restaurant's license for one year retroactive to Jan. 28 when it was initially revoked. The owner Basem Fam said he will try to sell the eatery.

Federman said police notified her in March about an investigation they were undertaking at the restaurant.

While there, they had found a small room off the back of the restaurant that had a cot, marijuana and some sex toys.

They also had videotapes from the restaurant's cameras, which they viewed and told her what was on them.

She viewed them as well so she could save police from having to attend the public hearing. She said police never issued any charges.

In the tape, she saw Mishu Fam, the owner's brother, wearing only a t-shirt, strolling out from the back room to the restaurant to make a sandwich and didn't wash his hands after touching his genitals.

After meeting with police and town officials, they decided to ban Mishu Fam from working at the restaurant but the restaurant was allowed to continue operating because they had no problem with Basem Fam.

But health inspector Ed Smith was dispatched after the health department got a call about something strange at the restaurant Jan. 28 and found Mishu Fam there again.

Basem Fam was in Egypt then because of a family emergency and couldn't get back to open the restaurant after winter break and had asked another chef to open it.

His brother went in without Fam knowing.

Federman said that Mishu Fam told Smith that he wasn't working there at the time but was just minding the place. But she said there were conflicting stories.

Basem Fam said his brother told him he was just in the office.

Federman said she knew the details would get out and felt bad for the owner because it was his brother not him.

Still, she said, they couldn't trust that Basem Fam was overseeing the business responsibly.

Revoking a license is not something the board typically does, nor does it want to do. Before the hearing was held Tuesday, she talked with Basem Fam and explained that it would be unlikely for him get his license back this year.

Board chairwoman Nancy Gilbert said it was a "very difficult decision. He's a very nice man," she said of the owner. "He's trying to do his best."

He can continue selling tobacco.