Upstate New York giant liquor and wine wholesaler Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits, the largest in the country, was fined a whopping $3.5 million by the New York State Liquor Authority yesterday. This is the largest fine ever imposed by the SLA. An investigation into its “pay to play” activities began in January 2016. Southern salespersons allegedly swiped their company credit cards at favored retail licensed establishments without receiving anything in return. This, according to the SLA, was intended to influence the retailer’s decision to buy products from Southern, a violation of the “gift and services” prohibition of state law. SLA Chairman Vincent Bradley called the extent of the violations “staggering.”