Former NFL Player Sues Florida City Over Bikini Bar Ban

January 3, 2016

A former NFL player is suing the city of Jacksonville, Fla., over a law that restricts sexually themed bars.

The Florida Times-Union reports that Laveranues Coles filed the lawsuit Dec. 29 in federal court in Jacksonville. Coles is asking a judge to overturn the city’s rules governing bikini bars and other similar businesses.

The city’s planning commission denied Coles a zoning exception for a restaurant and “dancing establishment.” Coles argues the sexual dancing at the restaurant would be for a consensual audience over the age of 18.

Coles’ suit argues Jacksonville’s rules infringe on his business’s Constitutional right to free expression and asks for $75,000 in damages.

Jacksonville spokeswoman Marsha Oliver says they do not comment on pending lawsuits.

Topics Lawsuits Florida

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