Rafferty said that any claims a sale is in the works were "absolutely untrue," but declined further comment.

But Scali insisted that uncertainty about the Grille's liquor license probably means a sale is imminent, although no application for a transfer of the license has been filed.

"[McCarthy] realizes he will have a huge problem because we will continue to investigate him," he said. "I'm encouraged to believe that something will happen because of the status of the license."

The Grille's landlord could not be reached for comment.

The sting that led to the suspension found five underage Harvard students in the bar. Two of those students, both first-years, say ABCC investigators told them Harvard would not be notified of the sting.

But according to Peggy A. McNamara, spokesperson for the Harvard University Police Department, an ABCC investigator called HUPD shortly before the February hearing to confirm that the students who had produced Harvard identification actually attended the University. HUPD then forwarded the information to the College, and the four first-years were summoned to the Freshman Dean's Office (FDO) and received an official admonishment from the Administrative Board.