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State authorities Wednesday raided 29 bars and restaurants across New Jersey and seized liquors and inventory records.

(Star-Ledger file photo)

By Brent Johnson and Peggy McGlone/The Star-Ledger

TRENTON — It's one of the oldest tricks in the book: Secretly pour some cheap whiskey into a bottle that once held high-grade liquor and charge customers top dollar for a glass.

State alcohol enforcement officials say they believe it’s been happening across New Jersey in bars of all kinds — fancy joints, neighborhood dives and chain restaurants.

More than 100 investigators raided 29 establishments — from East Rutherford to Matawan to Chesilhurst — Wednesday morning on suspicion of the practice, authorities announced. It was part of a year-long investigation called "Operation Swill."

Investigators raided 29 establishments around New Jersey on suspicion of filling empty bottles of premium liquor with cheaper brands.

The establishments allegedly aimed to "fool the customer and increase their profits," according to a statement by the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

"The customer paid for the premium brand but was instead, unbeknownst to the customer, poured the non-premium brand," the statement said.

The investigation began as a result of complaints, confidential informants and new technology that allowed detectives to test liquor they bought at the bars, officials said. The investigators seized various liquors and inventory records during the raid.

But the state revealed little else Wednesday. Officials said they will release more information at a news conference today in Trenton.

Thirteen of the restaurants named were TGI Fridays. Willie Allen, 48, of Jersey City — who was dining with friends at the chain’s Linden location included on the list — said he was bothered by the accusations.

"You’re putting your money down and you come in after working and they’re cheating you on the back end, I don’t think that’s fair," Allen said. "This is supposed to be a credible place. I don’t think this place is losing money."

The chain’s Texas-based parent company said in a statement that it was looking into the matter.

"TGI Fridays was just made aware of this issue and is working closely with the franchisee and owner of the cited locations to review and investigate these serious allegations," the statement said. "We have one of the most extensive bar and beverage programs in the industry, which sets a very high standard in the quality and service of our beverages."

All of the locations named are run by the Briad Group, a Livingston-based hospitality company that is the largest TGI Fridays franchise operator in the U.S.

Cleveland Cunningham, 59, of Paterson, said the allegations made him suspicious of other restaurant practices.

"If they’re doing that, what else are they doing to cut corners?" said Cunningham, who also dined at the Linden location. "If they’re skimming the alcohol, what about the food?"

Other restaurants vehemently denied the allegations.

"It’s not true, and there were never any complaints from patrons," said Brian Hertenstein, general manager of Blackthorn Irish Pub in Parsippany. "I’m confident that it’ll come back and it’ll be proven we were pouring what’s on the label."

Dan Arroyo, a manager at the pub, said three men and one woman arrived Wednesday morning, inspecting bottles and opening up liquor cabinets.

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The officials told him they were sweeping restaurants in the area and that the Blackthorn wasn’t targeted. "They said it was random," Arroyo said.

Hertenstein, who has managed the Blackthorn for two years, said he didn’t know about the allegations until he read a news account.

"You spend two years of toil and sweat to build up an establishment, and then they make accusations like this before you can respond," he said.

Paul Eschallier, the owner of Bell’s Tavern in Lambertville, said he plans to contest the allegations "to the fullest extent possible."

"Bell’s is fully cooperating with this investigation, but we believe these charges are baseless," Eschallier said. "Bell’s has always enjoyed a good reputation in Lambertville, and this is not the way we run our business.

The full list of bars and restaurants named by the state is:

Applebee's, Kearny

Bell's Tavern, Lambertville

Blackthorn Restaurant, Parsippany

The Brick House, Wyckoff

Brunswick Grove, East Brunswick

Café 34, Matawan

Cucina Calandara, Fairfield

Graziano's Ristorante, Chesilhurst

Italian Affair, Glassboro

Murray's, Dover

Railroad Café, East Rutherford

Ruby Tuesday, Bridgewater

Sona Thirteen, Morristown

Sunset Tavern, Burlington

TGI Fridays, Clifton

TGI Fridays, East Hanover

TGI Fridays, East Windsor

TGI Fridays, Freehold

TGI Fridays, Hamilton

TGI Fridays, Hazlet

TGI Fridays, Linden

TGI Fridays, Marlboro

TGI Fridays, North Brunswick

TGI Fridays, Old Bridge

TGI Fridays, Piscataway

TGI Fridays, Springfield

TGI Fridays, West Orange

Villari's Lakeside, Gloucester Township

Yesterday's Marmora

Meredith Hammond, a spokeswoman for Ruby Tuesday’s national headquarters in Tennessee, said the company is "still in the process of collecting more details, but we are cooperating fully."

All of the other establishments either declined comment or could not be reached for comment.

Star-Ledger staff writers Seth Augenstein, Christopher Baxter, and Tom Haydon contributed to this report.

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