Council urged to review allegations against Cordish

A coalition of African American leaders gathered outside City Hall on Wednesday to urge City Council members to consider allegations of racial discrimination made against the developer chosen to construct a casino in South Philadelphia.

Members of the Rev. Al Sharpton's civil rights organization, National Action Network (NAN), contend that the Cordish Cos. discriminated against black patrons at nightclubs it owns in Kansas City, Mo., and Louisville, Ky. They allege that the venues had dress codes targeting African Americans and hired people to start fights with black people in order to get them ejected.

"There's a real question whether Cordish will build a casino in a nondiscriminatory way," said Matthew Smith, president of NAN's Pennsylvania chapter.

Speakers at the news conference repeatedly argued that Council has not done due diligence in investigating these claims.

Cordish is planning to build a $450 million complex at Ninth Street and Packer Avenue that features gaming, dining, and entertainment.

Cordish denied the allegations of racism in a statement from chief operating officer Zed Smith, who said the charges were "false and malicious," and "spread by special interests seeking to delay or halt the project for their selfish gain."

The company's role in the development of the casino is supported by the Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP, the Black Clergy of Philadelphia, and Mayor Nutter. An investigation by the Black Clergy found no evidence of discrimination by the company.

Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, in whose district the casino will be erected, has also not come out against Cordish.

Johnson - who last month came under fire when he scheduled a birthday party and fund-raiser at a Cordish-owned property, XFINITY Live - has said in a statement that he will give the allegations a thorough airing.

"I take the allegations raised at today's news conference very seriously," he said, "and as I have stated consistently throughout this process, City Council will fully examine all community and stakeholder concerns at the upcoming hearing and prior to the passage of any authorizing legislation regarding the proposed casino."

The news conference, which included NAN officials as well as religious leaders, was held five days before a Council committee will meet on whether or not to vet Cordish's proposal. While technically the committee is weighing several zoning variances requested by Cordish, the allegations of racial discrimination are sure to be front and center.

Paula Peebles, chair of the Philadelphia NAN, said she traveled to Louisville to speak to people she described as victims of Cordish's racial discrimination. She said that she "confirmed" the allegations and that she will bring the alleged victims to Philadelphia to give their accounts of the discrimination they faced.

A spokesman for Cordish, A. Bruce Crawley, attended the event and said the company has reached out to NAN and others that question Cordish's discrimination record.

"They have a less-than-normal amount of allegations," Crawley said. "Inclusion is not an issue."

He said there is evidence that NAN received money from Unite Here, a labor union that is trying to represent workers hired by Cordish.

Peebles refused to travel to Cordish's headquarters in Baltimore, saying it would be inappropriate.

Crawley argues that NAN - not Council - has neglected to do its research by not talking to the company.

"You should do that out of due diligence," he said.

JTomczuk@phillynews.com @JackTomczuk