City Settles Bikini Barista Dress Code Suit for $500K

The city of Everett, north of Seattle, has agreed to pay $500,000 to settle a lawsuit over a dress code for bikini baristas at coffee stands. The settlement ends a six-year legal battle with Jovanna Edge and employees who sued over the dress code ordinance, which they argued violated their First Amendment rights. Under the agreement, the city will no longer dictate that baristas wear at least tank tops and shorts but will align dress code rules with an existing lewd conduct standard. The settlement may end the saga that started in 2009 when the city said it received complaints prompting investigations that revealed some stands were selling sex shows and sex acts and allowing customers to physically touch the baristas.