UPDATE Oct. 7, 3 p.m.

Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Pro Tem Cody Bass addressed the incident in a Facebook post, expressing his innocence.

“To the Community,

I am writing to address the citizens arrest that took place in Douglas County, Nevada on September 25th, and to assure you I have acted with integrity and truly done nothing wrong.

On the evening in question, I was assaulted for the second time by the doorman at Aleworx on the sidewalk in front of AleWorx while I was walking to Lucky Beaver to get some food. I reported the assault to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Despite my testimony, the deputy chose to place me under a citizen’s arrest, accepting the doorman’s account over mine.

The District Attorney has since reviewed the case and has not charged me with assault, as I did not assault anyone, I was in fact who got assaulted. I have not entered AleWorx in a considerable amount of time and was never asked to not return, I was not going to visit AleWorx on this evening, nor was I the first time I was assaulted by this individual. The two assaults I experienced both occurred on the public sidewalk. I did not trespass or harass anyone at AleWorx as I never entered the establishment. Furthermore, I was not intoxicated, and a breathalyzer test confirmed I had consumed only one drink that evening.

I will absolutely not be stepping down from my position on the City Council, as I have done nothing wrong. I am committed to going through the due process to prove my innocence. As business owners, we should expect our establishments, especially those that welcome patrons, to be represented by individuals who show respect for others and do not intimidate or assault people.”

Sincerely,

Cody L. Bass, Mayor Pro-Tem, City of South Lake Tahoe

UPDATE Oct. 6, 1:00 p.m.

In a joint statement, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office report that Mayor Pro Tem Cody Bass received misdemeanor charges upon his arrest and booking in the Douglas County Jail for assault, trespassing, and harassment.

After further review, the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office filed a Criminal Complaint with the Tahoe Justice Court on Oct. 2, formally charging Bass with the misdemeanor offenses of trespassing and harassment.

The morning of the arrest, bail was set at $1,978, bondable. Bass posted bond and was released from the Douglas County Jail on Sept. 26, 2025, at approximately 4:35 a.m., within four hours of being arrested.

Bass will appear before the Tahoe Justice Court on Dec. 22 at 1:30 p.m. for an arraignment.

According to City of South Lake Tahoe City Attorney, Heather Stroud, Bass’ misdemeanor charges would not result in his seat becoming vacant. Under state law a council seat becomes vacant if there is a felony conviction or guilty plea.

ORIGINAL STORY Oct. 6, 9:30 a.m.

STATELINE, Nev. – The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office arrested city of South Lake Tahoe Mayor Pro Tem Cody Bass around 1 a.m. on Sept. 26 at Lake Tahoe AleWorx on charges of assault, trespassing, and harassment.

The charges are based on a verbal and physical altercation with an employee at AleWorx.

The sheriff’s office responded just before midnight to the call originally placed by Bass, claiming he had been kicked by a bouncer at AleWorx.

The arresting officer’s report states that based on statements and observations from surveillance, Bass appeared to be the aggressor in the altercation.

The report reveals this wasn’t Bass’ first incident of reporting battery and trespassing at AleWorx after he has been asked not to return.

According to the county jail, Bass was released a few hours after being in custody. The matter has been forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

The Tribune is awaiting a response from the city of South Lake Tahoe regarding Bass’ seat on city council, and has also reached out to the district attorney’s office for court dates.

Also as reported by the Tribune, city of South Lake Tahoe Mayor Tamara Wallace is being investigated by the El Dorado District Attorney for embezzlement.