Over $300,000 Dedicated to Fighting Wine Bootleggers in Michigan

Funding in Michigan's 2019-2020 budget includes $302,300 to fight the bootlegging of wine in Michigan.

The Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association says the money for the Michigan Liquor Control Commission is used to combat illegal wine shipments coming into Michigan from unlicensed out-of-state retailers.

A law enacted in 2018 requires shipping companies to report how much wine is coming into Michigan and where it is coming from. The Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association tracks this information and reports that "more than 100,000 bottles of illegally shipped wine are flowing into Michigan every quarter."

The funding will allow for more full-time employees including one dedicated to licensing and enforcement.