Reign Bar attorney requests proof of AG’s claims

COLUMBIA. Mo. (KMIZ)

Reign Bar's lawyer sent a response letter to the Missouri Attorney General's Office after Attorney General Catherine Hanaway described the bar as having "persistent nuisance conditions."

The letter, sent by Jermaine Wooten, disputed claims of nuisance activity on and around the bar's owned premises, stating that no violent incidents have occurred in those areas.

"The incidents referenced occurred beyond Reign’s property line and involved patrons of
neighboring establishments — not Reign patrons," wrote Wooten in the letter. "Describing an event as occurring 'directly outside Reign' does not establish that it occurred on Reign-controlled property, involved Reign customers, or resulted from Reign’s conduct."

Wooten said the purpose of the letter was not to challenge the AG's office, but rather to get on the same page.

"We were under the impression that the AG's office had some misinformation. So we wanted to find out what information they had, specifically the incident reports, and provide us with the police reports," said Wooten. "Once we get a police report, so we know what incidents the AG's office is referring to as it relates to any criminal activity that's occurring inside or outside of Reign's doors. So we can all sit down and address those issues just based on the information we were privy to."

Because Reign Bar has not received any reports of incidents happening inside the bar or directly outside on their property line, Wooten said he is hoping to get clarity on what violent activities the AG's office is referring to, because right now there is no factual evidence for the claims made.

"And of course Reign believes that it's a bit, not irresponsible, but unfair to hold them responsible for the criminal activity that takes place downtown Columbia simply because they have a nightclub in that area," said Wooten.

The letter is requesting clarity on the following:

• Reports for each event attributed to Reign Bar.
• Evidence supporting a patron participating in nuisance activity was admitted, served, or departing from Reign Bar.
• Documents used to decide that an event occurred on Reign Bar's property.
• Data showing support that Reign Bar increased violent crime while the bar was open.
• Evidence to support the statement that Reign Bar resisted operational changes requested by law enforcement.

In the letter, Reign Bar states that it will continue the "good-faith safety measures" it previously implemented. Measures include security guards, capacity limits, conduct rules, camera coverage, coordination with law enforcement, neighborhood coordination and reviews of Reign's premises.

The letter from Hanaway stated that Reign had 14 days to respond or the office would "pursue all available legal action against Reign Bar." Hanaway published the letter to the bar online last month, accusing Reign of causing a "noticeable uptick in unruly activity that interferes with public safety, peace, and comfort in downtown Columbia."

Wooten said he is hoping the next steps can be a conversation with the AG's office to address the concerns with factual evidence.

"I think it would be a bit premature to file any kind of lawsuit when we're willing to come to the table and say, 'Hey, tell us what you have and let us know what we can address'," said Wooten. "We can have a conversation because, bottom line, the facts do matter. I understand, she, the AG, responded, and said it just didn't really matter; factually, it didn't matter what was going on. Reign was the problem downtown."

Reign Bar's patrons are not the people causing downtown safety concerns, according to Wooten. He said Reign Bar makes sure its customers are safe.

"They make sure their patrons leave peacefully, make it to their cars, don't cause any type of issues on the streets of Columbia downtown," said Wooten.

Wooten said everyone in Columbia wants a safer downtown, including Reign Bar, and unless factual evidence can be provided, there is little the bar can do.

"I'm asking for it I've asked for it in writing, I've asked for it verbally yesterday, and I'm asking for it again today. So that's all we're asking for," said Wooten. "If there are any issues that we need to address at Reign Club, they will be addressed because, like I say, safety is a priority for the citizens of Columbia who want to go out and try to enjoy a good time downtown."

The AG's office confirmed it received the letter from Reign Bar and is still reviewing it. A spokesperson for Hanaway said that if no resolution comes from the letters and communication between the office and the bar, then the AG will take legal action.