Jonathan Club Suit Dismissed by Judge
The Jonathan Club’s lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a Los Angeles anti-discrimination ordinance has been dismissed by a Los Angeles federal judge, leaving the legal question to be decided in state court.
City Atty. James Hahn said Tuesday that he had been notified that U.S. District Judge Jesse Curtis had dismissed a suit filed by the exclusive downtown club in January last year--one day before the club was sued by the city.
Hahn charged in a prepared statement that the club had brought the federal court suit in a “futile attempt . . . to stall the march of progress.”
Attorney John R. Shiner, representing the 3,000-member organization, said in a telephone interview that Curtis did not rule on the merits of the club’s contention that since the club is truly private, the city ordinance does apply.
“It simply means that the matter will be heard in state court, rather than in federal court,” Shiner said.
The city contends in its suit that the club has violated a city ordinance by operating a men-only bar and grill on the club’s second floor.
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