Officials review racy pictures taken at ROT Rally

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) -- Travis County commissioners reviewed more than 100 racy pictures Tuesday morning after photos taken at this year's Republic of Texas Biker Rally were sent to the court for action.

Those pictures have sparked an investigation by the Travis County sheriff's department. On Tuesday morning, elected officials admitted the photos are questionable, but the commissioners are not taking a stance or immediate action.

More than 40,000 bikers were expected in town for the annual rally last month, which were held on the grounds of the Travis County Expo Center. Commissioners received the complaint and pictures from an anonymous source. The pictures showed public nudity and perhaps sexual activities taking place at the rally.

Nudity at the ROT Rally is nothing new and not necessarily illegal.

"Being topless is not a violation of law," said County Judge Samuel Biscoe. "Nudity with certain sexual behavior may well be." 

Someone dropped off the photos to the County Commissioner's Office and asked the court to do something about this aspect of the rally.

The rally has been held every summer in Austin for the past 14 years. This year it was at the Travis County Exposition Center.

"It's not as simple as most people think. In fact, it's fairly complicated," Biscoe said. "In this case, part of the complaint was that there were minors there. You couldn't look at the pictures and tell where the teens were in relation to where the toplessness, dancing, etc. occurred."

Commissioners are waiting until after the sheriff's investigation to decide if more action is necessary.

"If there are improprieties that surface in connection with our event, we will cooperate with the authorities to find the appropriate remedy," said Jerry Bragg, rally organizer.