See Details of the Lawsuit Filed by Black Women Suing Golf Course That Called Cops On Them For ‘Playing Too Slow’

Ojo and Crosby’s lawyers said that the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission made an objective determination that their clients were harassed, and thus, said they would be continuing to pursue the case in federal court.

“The civil rights violations undertaken by representatives of Grandview Golf Course against our clients in April of 2018 continue to shock the conscience of civil-minded Americans,” attorneys John L. Rollins and Mary H. Powell said.

RELATED: Lawsuit Filed By Black Women
Who Sue Golf Course that
called cops alleging they were playing too slow

Ojo and Crosby’s legal team requests in their lawsuit for a jury trial and compensatory and punitive damages.  However, their lawsuit does not specify an official amount, according to CNN.  The suit alleges that a white male owner told one of the people in their group that they weren’t keeping pace and followed up by treating them differently from other guests using the course. 

Ironically, the round of golf was a first at the course for the women whose start time was pushed back due to inclement weather.  Yet, according to sources, other golfers who were also playing the course have attested that the ladies group didn’t slow them down at all.

In a report to CNN two years ago, one gentleman confirmed to police that he thought it was unusual the women’s group had five golfers instead of the standard four but said their speed didn’t affect the play of his group.

Course employee Steve Chronister called police twice on the group and told police the women weren’t adhering to the “time guidelines and delaying tee times for other golfers.”

Below are details of the lawsuit:

Re: 1:20-CV-00661-SHR Ojo and Crosby v. Brew Vino LLC et al U.S. Middle District of Pennsylvania

Filed 20 April 2020

 

On Monday, April 20, 2020, Ms. Myneca Y. Ojo and Karen Ann Crosby filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania against Brew Vino, LLC d/b/a Grandview Golf Course, Jordan Lyle Chronister, Steve Chronister, Marc Bower, Brian Polachek, and John Doe with respect to federal and State causes of actions, including violations of equal rights as protected by the United States Constitution, violations of The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

 

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (“PHRC”) has made an objective determination of probable cause that our clients, Ms. Myneca Y. Ojo and Ms. Karen Ann Crosby, were profiled, harassed, evicted and subjected to discrimination based on their African American race and Female gender. Our federal court complaint seeks due attention to multiple violations of the United States Constitution, specifically, the Civil Rights Act. The Civil Rights Act of 1866, as amended, was intended to help eliminate the vestiges of slavery and Jim Crowism. The civil rights violations undertook by representatives of Grandview Golf Course against our clients in April of 2018 continue to shock the conscience of civil-minded Americans.

 

As United States citizens, our clients have the right to make and enforce contracts. As paid members of the Grandview Golf Course, racial and gender discrimination deprived Ms. Ojo and Ms. Crosby of the full rights, privileges and comforts of their memberships. Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act offers relief when racial discrimination impairs public accommodations and existing contractual relationships.

 

We have endeavored to reach some relief outside of court, however, representatives of Grandview Golf Course have refused to attend any of the hearings scheduled by the PHRC, have refused to acknowledge Commonwealth and federal laws, and have refused to participate in mediation or conciliation sessions. As Americans, these African American women are entitled to receive the reasonable benefit of their contracts.

 

We filed a complaint in representation of Ms. Ojo and Ms. Crosby because we believe in three maxims of our country’s founding fathers: liberty, justice, and faith that our government is a protector of such liberty and justice.

 

Office of John L. Rollins, Esq. Philadelphia, PA

Powell Law, PC Harrisburg, PA

After a verbal confrontation between the group and Chronister occurred, the officers at the scene determined that it wasn’t a police matter and left the two sides to hash out their differences. The women’s group left on their own accord, and no charges were filed against them.

The day after the incident, the club’s co-owner JJ Chronister called the women and apologized, per CNN.

JJ also released a statement to the York Daily Record that appeared to muddle her apology:

“Grandview currently has 2,400 members. In the past players who have not followed the rules, specifically pace of play, have voluntarily left at our request as our scorecard states. In this instance, the members refused to leave so we called police to ensure an amicable result,” she told the news outlet. “The members did skip holes and took an extended break after the 9th hole. We spoke with them once about pace of play and then spoke with them a second time. During the second conversation we asked members to leave as per our policy noted on the scorecard, voices escalated, and police were called to ensure an amicable resolution. ”

On Wednesday, Crosby told CNN that the progress on the suit makes her “relieved and happy” to be on the brink of receiving closure, but revealed that the group hasn’t golfed since the incident occurred.