Olathe ? An Olathe bar pleaded innocent to a misdemeanor charge that it discriminated against a Hispanic customer.

A lawyer representing The Brickyard Inc., which operates The Brickyard in Olathe, entered the plea Tuesday in Johnson County District Court.

Johnson County prosecutors said they believed it was the first time they had filed a criminal civil rights charge against a corporation.

The company’s president, Mark C. Smith, attended the hearing but didn’t speak in court. Earlier this month, Smith said the charges were unfounded.

Judge John Anderson III scheduled the next court hearing for March 28.

The charges allege that a Hispanic police officer, working undercover in July, was denied service at the bar because of his heritage. Two undercover white officers were served, according to the allegations.

The Brickyard is a private club. Because the white officers weren’t members, prosecutors also charged the bar with two counts of serving alcohol to nonmembers.