(Courant) - A second major liquor retailer has joined the effort to undermine the state's minimum pricing rule for wine and spirits by openly disregarding the law.

BevMax, a Stamford-based superstore with 13 locations in Connecticut and New York, is advertising and selling liquor below the price set by wholesalers, an apparent violation of Connecticut law.

"We feel that the law is unjust," said William Berkoff, the company's beverage director. "It's right to break an unjust law.''

Last week, Total Wine & More filed a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn the pricing law. Total Wine is also challenging the law in the marketplace, running ads that highlight prices well below the state minimum.

The state Department of Consumer Protection, which oversees and enforces Connecticut's liquor laws, is investigating both Total Wine and BevMax, said Leslie O'Brien, the department's legislative assistant. She declined to discuss the cases, citing the inquiries.