Philly black leaders say casino developer is not racist Page 1 of4

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Philly black leaders say casino

developer is not racist
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We have come to the conclusion Ihat this may bee struggle between contending unions, said Black Clergy President
the Rev. Terrence Griffith on the alie Oat/ens against CardiSh Co,rpanies. (DAVID M WARREN/Staff Photsgrapher)

WENDY RUDMAN, Daily News Staff Writer ruderm wpMllynews.com,

215-854-5924
POSTED: Friday, Joty 17, 2015,12:16 AM

Most Vicived News Storiest

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1 i Recent Drexel grad
found slain in W.
A LOCAL GROUP of prominent black leaders found no Phily
credible evidence to support allegations of racism against a
Baltimore-based developer that plans to build a casino in
South Philly, Recent Drexelgrad
found dead in West
The Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity reached its Philly apartment
conclusion after a two-month investigation into claims that
Cordish Companies engaged in discriminatory enforcement of
dress codes and that managers paid white men to pick fights U And now, welcome to
with black patrons as a ruse to boot minorities from Cordish
same-sex divorce
run entertainment venues in Kansas City, Mo., and Louisville,
Ky.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20 15071 7_Philly_black_leaders_say_casino_developer... 7/17/2015

Philly black leaders say casino developer is not racist Page 2 of 4

Feds: Pill-mill doe

YOU CAN BEAN Not only did the black clergys probe find no evidence of racist
-.
9 worked with PagalE
WHY NOTBESIJ practices by Cordish, the clergy concluded that the company
has gone over and beyond the goals set for minority
atTeach,or
inclusion, according to a 17-page report released yesterday.
Delco man airested
We are convinced that the company really promotes in child-porn case
harmony in the communities where they serve, Black Clergy
President the Rev. Terrence Griffith said during a news
conference at City Hall.

Griffith said he thought the allegations against Cordish were

fueled by a labor union, Unite Here, which is vying against
other unions to represent casino workers at the proposed
$425 million Livel Hotel & Casino, planned to be built in the
citys stadium district. (The project is on hold pending legal
challenges to the casino license awarded to Cordish by the
state Gaming Control Board.)
Who Won? check out
We have come to the conclusion that this may be a struggle
PHILLY.COM/READERSCHOICE
between contending unions, Griffith said. In my opinion - and find out the regions favorite restaurants,
shops, services and more.
and thats my opinion I think its an issue of positioning to
-

represent workers here in Philadelphia. So thats a union fight, #PHILLYCH DICE

which Black Clergy will not get involved in. Were not
interested in union fights. If they want to fight among
themselves, they can do that. Our interest primarily was
finding out whether or not this company was a racist
company, and our conclusion is its not. celebr
1
Wave! Deals
For four years, Cordish has managed Xfinity Livel
Philadelphia, which features dining and entertainment at 11th
Street and Pattison Avenue. The Black Clergy report, dated
July 2, noted: We were unable to uncover any complaints or
suits against the company in these four years.

The allegations against Cordish had come to the fore here in

$225 Lake Georga,NY:
2-Night cabin stays March when Jason Ortiz, who works for a New York-based
wiPedal cart consulting firm hired by Unite Here, met with Griffith and
See all travel deals urged him to oppose Cordishs plans for a new casino. Ortiz
i.tsn .VTRAVFLZOO brought to light several racial-discrimination lawsuits and
ev auseaw
t complaints, involving 24 separate plaintiffs, and the testimony
of five former employees against Cordish. The claims were
filed against Cordish in Kansas City and Louisville.
Shop Team Gear

Philadelphia76ers Based upon what appeared to be credible evidence, I sent a

2-Pack Bulky Bandz letter to Councilman Kenyatta Johnson opposing the Cordish
Bracelet
project in Philadelphia, Griffith wrote in the report. Johnson

a $6
Buy Now
as
urged Griffith to conduct his own investigation into the
allegations before opposing the project.

Ortiz also met with Philadelphia NAACP president Rodney

Muhammad, who then agreed to speak out against Cordish at
a June news conference organized by Ortiz. Ortizs firm had
<prey next>
prepared a report detailing alleged racist practices by
Cordish. Also onPhilly.com
eusINEsa:
At the last minute, however, Muhammad decided not to 10 best camccrders
participate in the news conference after Mayor Nutter reached under $200
out to him and the national NAACP office. Nutter has said he
simply asked to speak with NAACP leaders regarding their
concerns about Cordish. Nutter emphatically denied a Daily
HEALTH:
News report that he pulled the plug on the news conference, Restaurant inspection
which fell apart when Muhammad failed to appear. rates vary by county

Muhammad, in a letter read by Griffith yesterday, suggested

that he felt duped by Ortiz.
5PORTh:

http://www.philly.comlphilly/news/20 15071 7_Philly_black_leaders_say_casino_developer... 7/17/2015

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Philly black leaders say casino developer is not racist Page 3 of 4

We have now learned that Metropolitan Strategies was in

fact representing Unite Here, a union seeking unfair
advantage over other unions, which is not the agenda of the
NAACP or the Black Clergy, wrote Muhammad, according to
Griffith. Ant-Man: Mighty
small, but still mighty
Ortiz declined to comment yesterday.

In the investigation, Griffith said, he and other Black Clergy

members visited Cordish-owned-and-operated operations in FOOD:
Maryland and Kansas City and interviewed NAACP leaders in Point Breeze pop-up
the Midwest. down
Based upon several meetings, research and comparisons
with similar companies, it is Black Clergys position that there
JOBS:
is no credible evidence that the Cordish Company practices How long is too long
racism or has a culture and/or history of discrimination, the _. for a resume?
report said.

On Twitter: @wendyruderman