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.