US Justice Department reviews allegations of racial discrimination at Pa. swim club

Feds probe alleged discrimination at Pa. swim club

PHILADELPHIA — The U.S. Department of Justice is reviewing the case of a suburban Philadelphia swim club that has been accused of racial discrimination.

John Duesler, who is the president of The Valley Club in Huntingdon Valley, maintains that race had nothing to do with the club’s decision to ask a Philadelphia day camp not to bring children back to the club to swim. The children are black and Hispanic. Duesler maintains that the issue was too many children for the number of lifeguards on duty and that many of the children who were at the club June 29 couldn’t swim.

Justice Department spokesman Alejandro Miyar said Friday that the review will determine whether the department’s Civil Rights Division would officially investigate the matter.

Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, www.philly.com