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St. Petersburg Times, August 13, 1987:
TALLAHASSEE - The Leon County Sheriff's Office is investigating
reports that the controversial rap group Beastie Boys broke laws
during their Aug. 5 performance here. Sheriff's deputies reported
seeing several underage girls go backstage after the group's concert.
There also were allegations that a 19-year-old member of the band was
drinking beer on stage. Florida's drinking age is 21. Prosecutor
Willie Meggs said some teenage girls who went backstage after the
concert told deputies that they were touched against their will. Meggs
also said the band's performance included acts that were illegal under
a state law banning lewd behavior in the presence of youths 16 or
under. However, Meggs said it was unlikely that charges would be brought against the three band members.
Orlando Sentinel, August 15, 1987:
BEASTIE BOYS. The sheriff who ran topless dancing out of Florida's
capital is determined to prevent performances by groups like the
Beastie Boys, under investigation for sexually assaulting a teenager
at a concert. Leon County Sheriff Eddie Boone said his deputies will
not hesitate to make arrests onstage or off if future performances
include the kind of behavior alleged at the controversial rap group's
Aug. 5 show at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center. A 16-year-old
girl told deputies a band member fondled and humiliated her when she
went backstage. The girl declined to file charges, but authorities
hoped other girls would press complaints. Authorities also were
looking into accusations that band members gave beer to teenagers.
Orlando Sentinel, August 16, 1987:
A Beastie Boys spokesman denies the group did anything wrong during a
recent Tallahassee concert and says the controversy that has erupted
is ridiculous.
"I find the entire thing blatantly ridiculous," Beastie Boys spokesman
Bill Adler told the Tallahassee Democrat on Friday. "Tallahassee is
ridiculous. Florida is ridiculous."
A 16-year-old girl told deputy sheriffs a band member fondled and
humiliated her when she went backstage after a concert Aug. 5. The
girl declined to file charges, but authorities are looking for other
people who might press complaints. They also are investigating accusations that underage band members
drank beer onstage, gave beer to teenagers and may have violated
state law banning lewd behavior in the presence of children under age
16.
Leon County Sheriff Eddie Boone has said his deputies will not
hesitate to make arrests onstage or offstage if future performances
include improper behavior.
"If this goes to court, you can be sure the Beastie Boys are going to
fight it, but I really doubt it will go that far," Adler said. "I'm
used to hearing this stuff. In most cases, they are unsubstantiated,
unfounded allegations."
Adler refused to comment on the specific allegations, saying that is
inappropriate unless charges are filed. He did say controversy follows
the group because many of its actions are "misunderstood."
"They're paid to act stupid or beastly. And their act is not telling
teenagers anything they don't know already," he said. "Parents need
to grow up and realize kids reach sexual maturity at age 12. It's not
the Beastie Boys' fault. Rock 'n' roll has always been more or less
about sex.
"The old people in Florida don't like the Beastie Boys, and the
Beasties don't like old people," he said.
A federal judge ruled last week that Jacksonville officials violated
the First Amendment by requiring warning labels on Beastie Boys
concert tickets. |
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