© 2024 Milwaukee Public Media is a service of UW-Milwaukee's College of Letters & Science
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Former Racine Bar Owners Sue City in Federal Court

The lawsuit alleges that Racine Mayor Dickert and others prevented minority tavern owners from obtaining or renewing liquor licenses.

The federal suit also accuses Dickert of accepting illegal contributions from the local tavern league and rewarding its white members with surrendered liquor licenses or city jobs.

Racine Deputy City Attorney Scott Letteney responded via a statement: The City of Racine has been informed that a civil Complaint has been filed today in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin naming the City and several of its officials and employees. As of this time, the City has not been served with the Complaint. The City of Racine denies that it illegally discriminated against any person or business. The City of Racine has no further comment at this time.

There are eight complainants alleging discrimination. They are African American, Hispanic and Thai.