Full Breakdown
Tempe Tavern Faces Federal Lawsuit Amid Claims of Selective Enforcement
7/17/2026, 1:20:34 AM
Federal Lawsuit Over Alleged Targeted Raids
In February 2025, Tempe Tavern—an ASU-adjacent bar operating in the historic White Dairy Barn—filed a federal suit alleging that the City of Tempe, its police chief Kenneth McCoy, lieutenant Erik Hernandez, detective Juan Robles, and Arizona Department of Liquor Licensing and Control director Ben Henry violated owner Robert Tasso’s First- and Fourteenth-Amendment rights. The complaint contends the bar was singled out for two large raids—in April and November 2025—that resulted in 422 arrests for underage drinking, fake IDs, and false statements, and that officials’ public comments caused “reputational harm.”
City and State Defense
City officials responded that the actions were routine law-enforcement efforts to protect minors. A city statement asserted, “This establishment’s actions and continued blatant disregard for the law and public safety speak for themselves,” and labeled the lawsuit “absurd.” The Department of Liquor Licensing and Control later released an investigative report describing the tavern as operating “effectively as an illegal ‘speakeasy’ for minors” and recommended revoking its liquor license.
Municipal Court Action and Safety Findings
Following the state report, the city filed a municipal-court case alleging over-capacity, underage presence, and violations of the bar’s security plan. A fire-department inspection identified four safety infractions. The municipal case remains pending, and the tavern’s liquor license is still active while the proceedings continue.
Bar’s Response and Business Impact
The tavern’s attorney described owner Tasso as “highly scrupulous” and accused officials of a “smear campaign” that linked the bar to a September fatal hit-and-run involving ASU student Ava Bellowe, who had entered the venue with a fake ID. The attorney’s filing notes that the bar’s revenue has fallen by 80-90 % since the raids.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This establishment’s actions and continued blatant disregard for the law and public safety speak for themselves,” — City of Tempe statement
- “effectively as an illegal ‘speakeasy’ for minors”**” — State investigator, Department of Liquor Licensing and Control report
The litigation and parallel municipal actions leave the future of Tempe Tavern uncertain as students return to campus on August 15.
