A Volusia County jury reached a not guilty verdict for a former Daytona Beach commissioner charged with battery stemming from an incident in a strip club.
Carl Lentz, 39, said in court Friday having the trial behind him is a huge weight off his shoulder.
Prosecutors accused Lentz of abusing his power at a local strip club and throwing a drink on an employee because he didn’t like the prices.
Raw: Daytona Beach commissioner at strip club
He allegedly told the strippers, “You’re going to take what I give you. Do you know who I am? I run this city.”
Lentz’s attorney argued there was no evidence to support the claim by the bartender, Amanda Frymyer.
The trouble began for Lentz last March when police issued him a trespass warning at Club Topic on International Speedway Boulevard.
Officers asked him if he’s been drinking, which he later admitted was true.
Police said an employee accused Lentz of asking for sex in exchange for lighter policing at the club—an accusation Lentz denied and was brought up in court Friday.
Lentz’s attorneys argued surveillance video never showed Lentz throwing a drink and a witness in the bar denied seeing anything.
His defense pointed out that police did not arrest Lentz and he was charged two weeks after the alleged incident.
When asked if he plans to run for any kind of political office, Lentz said it was the farthest thing from his mind and he’d rather focus on his family.