Owner of Highlands bar arrested on sodomy, sexual abuse charges

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The owner of Nowhere Bar on Bardstown Road in Louisville was arrested Wednesday on sodomy and sexual abuse charges.

According to the arrest citation, David Mattingly made the victim a drink at his home Sept. 16. Shortly thereafter, a witness confirmed to police that the victim "started to feel sick and was going in and out of consciousness," police said.

Police said Mattingly touched the victim inappropriately, and, after the victim lost consciousness entirely, Mattingly abused him. The victim told police he awoke to see Mattingly completely naked and later sought medical treatment for "discomfort."

Frank Mascagni, Mattingly's attorney, said Mattingly was "shocked and surprised" at the allegations.

"He vehemently denies the allegations," Mascagni said. "He says they're all false."

In a Facebook post Thursday, the Louisville Pride Foundation said it will sever all ties with Nowhere Bar.

"We felt like it was important for us to speak swiftly and strongly because this is a very serious issue," said Mike Slaton, executive director of the Louisville Pride Foundation. "We hold all of our sponsors to a high standard to uphold our values and our vision of a safe community. So when somebody is acting in a manner that is unsafe, that's very important to us."

Mascagni said Mattingly posted his $50,000 bond.