Several downtown Orlando bars have filed a federal lawsuit against the city, accusing local officials of forcing a small number of venues to bear the burden of paying for overnight policing services in violation of their unconstitutional rights

Three plaintiff companies that own seven bars in the downtown area – 6064 NOA LLC, The Beacham and Celine Orlando LLC – filed the lawsuit on Sept. 13 in the Middle District of Florida. 

“This case involves unconstitutional governmental overreach and takings, due-process and equal protection claims under the Fifth and 14th Amendments by the city in assessing separate additional tax burdens on certain holders of its municipal land-use permits known as After-Midnight Alcohol Sales Land Use Permits,” the lawsuit states.