Pa. swim club settles bias complaint

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Justice Department has settled a case involving a suburban Philadelphia swim club that allegedly discriminated against minorities.

The agreement resolves federal, state and private complaints filed against the Valley Club, which canceled a 2009 contract with a day camp serving mostly black and Hispanic children.

Club officials had said there weren’t enough lifeguards for the campers. But the children reported hearing racial slurs at the pool.

The club in Huntingdon Valley later filed for bankruptcy. It was purchased by a Philadelphia synagogue for nearly $1.5 million.

Campers will get a portion of that money after all court costs are paid. Camp lawyers say up to $1.1 million could be shared among 73 plaintiffs.

The settlement announced today must still be approved by a federal bankruptcy judge.