MASON CITY, IA — Alan Slater was probably at least a little bit excited while customers crowded his Marina Bar in order to enjoy the bawdy view and companionship to be found at the wet t-shirt contest being held there last June. He’s much calmer now that he’s been cleared of breaking the law.Found not guilty of violating his local adult entertainment ordinance, Slater avoid dishing out $500 in addition to the legal costs associated with fighting a citation issued by authority figured who had been sure he was at fault.
Although Slater admitted to standing on a ladder during the event in order to make sure boobs and nipples stayed properly covered by flimsy cotton fabric, he was adamant in his defense, pointing out that although he had initially considered hosting the event, he had ultimately turned it over to the general public.
Fearing the potential for an officially hosted wet t-shirt content to run afoul of the Clear Lake area adult entertainment laws, Slater and his staff concluded that allowing the people themselves to take charge of the event made more sense.
“That was one of the main reasons that I’m up here on the ladder,” Slater explained to the court while referring to a photo, “is to make sure that they’re not doing anything wrong in this bar. Even though it’s all done by the public, I still did not want any breasts showing or any nipples showing.”
Not readily available in press coverage of the situation is who provided rewards, prizes or other payment to participants of the contest, since Slater testified to having nothing to do with such things.
