Cody Bass arraignment on misdemeanor charges moved to May

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It's been months South Lake Tahoe City Councilman Cody Bass was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance. On September 25, 2021, Bass was driving his Tesla back to South Lake Tahoe when the California Highway Patrol (CHP) saw his car parked near Twin Bridges at 2:30 a.m. with Bass asleep behind the wheel.

The CHP report said the drugs they found in Bass's possession were “white powder resembling cocaine,” and “crystalline substance resembling methamphetamine.” Bass has denied that report since his arrest and booking.

Samples were sent to the Department of Justice for testing, but due to a backlog, the results just recently were received by the El Dorado County District Attorney's Office. They originally set an arraignment for Bass for this Friday, April 29, but it has been moved to May 20 at 8:30 a.m.

Bass said he will give South Tahoe Now a comment once he and his lawyer can see the discovery from the DA's office. They have been in touch with the office for a couple of weeks according to Bass, but the discovery has not been released.

He couldn't attend Friday's arraignment due to previously booked travel, but since the charges are misdemeanors his attendance was not required. Bass's lawyer asked for a later date, and the DA's office arranged it, said the councilman.

"I can guarantee it's not methamphetamine or cocaine," Bass said again on April 26 of the substances found in his possession.

Bass said he will definitely fight the "driving under the influence" portion of the charges as well. He said he fell asleep and his Tesla was on auto-drive, and later stopped.