DARREN McFADDEN INVOLVED IN UNDERAGE DRINKING CASE

A piano bar that admitted Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden even though he was under age will face a $500 fine.

Employees of Ernie Biggs told investigators they let the 20-year-old running back inside Jan. 10 knowing he was a minor, said Michael Langley, director of the state Alcoholic Beverage Control agency on Tuesday.

McFadden and at least four others were at the bar when a fight broke out.

Langley said as long as the bar has no other violations in the next year, it will not have its license suspended.

"They came forward and admitted, 'Hey, we did this. We know we did this,'" Langley said. "For that willingness to admit fault, we gave the maximum fine we could and we're not going to suspend their permit."

McFadden was not arrested but was handcuffed briefly. Police said a bouncer was hit in the face, but a police report didn't say by whom.


The negotiated settlement came as the nightclub faced a hearing Tuesday over allowing McFadden in and the altercation that followed. As a private club that did not sell food, state law forbids the piano bar to allow minors inside.

The Alcoholic Beverage Control board will vote formally on the settlement March 19.

McFadden severely injured his toe after another fight outside a different Little Rock club during the summer of 2006.