U.S. opens civil-rights probe of Valley Club

Federal authorities have opened a civil-rights investigation into the Valley Club's alleged discrimination against swimmers from a Northeast Philadelphia day camp in June.

In a letter made public yesterday, acting Assistant Attorney General Loretta King wrote that the Department of Justice was looking into whether the private Montgomery County club's treatment of black and Hispanic children from the Creative Steps Summer Day Camp amounted to prohibited discrimination by a "public accommodation."

Though private, Valley Club sometimes allows outside groups to rent its facilities.

Sen. Arlen Specter (D., Pa.), who wrote to the department in July seeking an investigation, said yesterday the federal involvement would "give the public greater assurance" about the handling of the widely publicized matter.

Creative Steps had a deal to swim at the Huntingdon Valley pool once a week during the summer. But after 56 children made their initial visit June 29, some club members complained, with one allegedly questioning why "black kids" were there. President John G. Duesler Jr. refunded the club's $1,950 fee and ended the arrangement.

The action led to an outcry against the club, which has no black members, and potential legal consequences.

On Tuesday, attorneys for five of the campers released a state Human Relations Commission report that found the club had racially discriminated.

That report, based on a complaint from one child's parent, said the club should pay a state fine of up to $50,000 plus other damages for how the child was treated, and that club members should be provided antidiscrimination education.

The penalties are subject to closed-door negotiations between commission staff, the Valley Club, and the affected children. If no settlement is reached, Human Relations Commission members will hold a public hearing and vote on what to do. That outcome could be appealed to Commonwealth Court.

Through separate attorneys, several groups of campers have said they may sue Valley Club.

Carolyn H. Nichols, who represents Creative Steps owner Alethea Wright and a large group of the campers, said Wednesday that clients would likely consider a federal suit after seeing how the Human Relations Commission matter played out.

If the Department of Justice finds that the Valley Club broke federal discrimination laws, it could go to court to force the club to stop discriminating but could not seek monetary damages.

Club attorney Joe Tucker did not return a call seeking comment.