Cleveland asks judge to dismiss complaint filed by Flats bar, says it had the right to shut it down

CLEVELAND — The City of Cleveland asked a federal judge to dismiss a complaint filed against it by a Flats bar Wednesday.

The city alleges it did not violate Play Bar & Grill's right to due process or wrongfully interfere with its business operations when it quickly shut down the bar after a shooting following the Cleveland Browns' home opener on Sept. 7.

Through a public records request, News 5 Investigators learned Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb texted his closest advisers within an hour of the incident:

"Use every dept to shut this place down. If we get sued, we get sued," he said in one of the texts.

RELATED: Cleveland mayor's text after Flats shooting: '... shut this place down. If we get sued, we get sued'

In their motion, the city alleged Play Bar & Grill has been "riddled wit