South Lake Tahoe Mayor Cody Bass was sentenced on Tuesday to 45 days in the county jail for his actions in September 2025 at the Stateline AleWorx. Judge Richard Glasson suspended 35 of those days for two years, as long as Bass abides by the conditions of release. Bass was also fined $1,127.
Bass, represented by his lawyer, Adam Spicer, told the Judge that he will always question himself for not taking the stand during his bench trial to give his side of the story. Bass contends he was walking by the Stateline bar to get food next door when he came across the club’s bouncer, Bob Hoyopatubbi, with whom he’d had previous interactions. Bass said he asked that they start fresh and wanted to “put water under the bridge.” At some point during the discussion, it took a different turn, with Bass trying to kick the bouncer in the knee.
“I should have turned my back and walked away,” said Bass in court. “I’m not a violent person.”
Bass was found guilty of a misdemeanor charge of harassment on Sept. 1, 2026. Sentencing was delayed so the court could respond to a request of Spicer to allow Bass to take the stand in his defense, something not done during trial.
In his victim’s impact statement, Hoyopatubbi said there had been months of harassment by Bass, starting in July 2025. He said his safety, that of his family, and his livelihood were put at risk due to Bass, and said, “There were repeated threats against my life.”
The statement, read out loud by Deputy District Attorney Aaron Thomas, said the victim lived in fear, not knowing when Bass would carry out the threats. Hoyopatubbi, he said, has suffered at a serious personal cost as he lost his job at AleWorx. The former bouncer said he thinks Bass’s position led to further complications at work.
“He is not a community leader with his actions,” said Thomas.
Judge Glasson said that behaving in a rough and rowdy manner shouldn’t be reflective of the community, and Bass crossed the line when the situation became harassment. The judge stated that fewer than one in ten defendants before the Tahoe Justice Court are local.
“He is the mayor of South Lake Tahoe, responsible for our entire community, Glasson went on to say, asking, “How should we treat Mr. Bass as a convicted person?”
Glasson sentenced the 45-year-old Bass to 45 days in county jail, with 35 days suspended, to begin immediately. Spicer asked if Bass could instead start when his City Council term was over in December, but Glasson denied that request.
For the next two years, Bass must not use alcohol, marijuana, or other controlled substances and is subject to search and seizure at any time once out of jail. Should any of those occur, he would be headed back to jail for the remaining 35 days of his sentence.
City of South Lake Tahoe responds to Mayor Bass sentencing
The South Lake Tahoe City Manager’s Office responded to Tuesday’s incarceration of Mayor Cody Bass in Douglas County on misdemeanor charges of harassment. He is currently serving a 10-day sentence.
Their statement:
The City of South Lake Tahoe is aware of the court’s sentencing involving Mayor Cody Bass. The matter is unrelated to his duties or conduct as a member of the South Lake Tahoe City Council. The City respects the judicial process and recognizes that this is a personal legal matter.
In the absence of the Mayor at a City Council meeting, under the City Council Protocols, Mayor Pro Tem Keith Roberts will act as Mayor. Mayor Pro Tem Roberts had previously indicated his intent to attend the meeting remotely. If he is unable or chooses not to preside over the meeting due to his remote participation, Councilmembers may vote to designate another Councilmember to run the meeting and sign documents approved by the Council.
Under California law, a misdemeanor conviction unrelated to official duties does not require an elected City Council member to resign or otherwise result in a forfeiture of office. The City Council and City staff remain focused on carrying out their responsibilities to the community, including the delivery of essential services, implementation of Council priorities, and transparent, accountable local governance.
The City will not comment further on the details of Mr. Bass’ personal legal matter.
This story was published by our sister publication South Tahoe Now. Visit them for more local news coverage of the Lake Tahoe region.
