The Region - News from May 23, 1986

Officials of the Red Onion restaurant chain, which has been accused of turning away minorities, met with state investigators and pledged to “cooperate fully to resolve the problem,” company Vice President Stephen Solomon said. The state is investigating allegations by six men--two blacks, two Latinos and two Middle Easterners--that they were stopped at the door of the Red Onion disco in Santa Ana. The men complained that they were told their driver’s licenses were questionable, or that they failed to meet a dress code. Since then, more complaints have been lodged against the chain with the regional office of the state Department of Fair Employement and Housing in Santa Ana, some from former and current employees who allege management told them to “clean up the crowd” when it became “too dark.” Company officials have denied the allegations..