The former owner and manager of a now-closed, upscale Back Bay shoe and clothing store is permanently banned from running a Massachusetts retail business because he allegedly discriminated against shoppers, state Attorney General Maura Healey said.
Under an agreement with Healey’s office, Hicham “Sam” Ali Hassan of The Tannery also is required to pay up to $220,000 in restitution and funds for racial justice programs, settling allegations that he discriminated against shoppers because of their perceived race, national origin or immigration status.
“We have strong laws in Massachusetts to put an end to the kind of unlawful, unacceptable and racist behavior that this business owner blatantly displayed in his store,” Healey said in a statement.
The judgment, filed in Suffolk Superior Court this week, settles a July 2018 lawsuit, filed by the AG’s Office against Hassan, alleging that he violated the state’s Public Accommodations Law and Consumer Protection Act by engaging in a pattern of discriminatory behavior.
That pattern included a 2017 incident in which he allegedly stopped a Black customer at the door, implied that he did not have enough money to shop at The Tannery and told him that “he did not want (his) kind in (the) store,” according to the complaint.
In another incident, Hassan allegedly stopped a customer of Syrian descent, began speaking to her in a mock Arabic accent, and told her, “Get out of here. I don’t have anything for you here.”
Hassan’s lawyer, former Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley, said that his client denies that he ever discriminated against any customer.
“Mr. Hassan is an immigrant to our country from the Middle East and has been the victim of discrimination himself many times over the years,” Conley said in a statement. “He settled this lawsuit to avoid unnecessary litigation costs, to put an end to the case and to fully focus on his health and recovery.”
.
"behavior" - Google News
August 28, 2021 at 05:42AM
https://ift.tt/3mE7UkA
Former Tannery owner banned from retail business due to alleged ‘discriminatory’ behavior - Boston Herald
"behavior" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2We9Kdi
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Former Tannery owner banned from retail business due to alleged ‘discriminatory’ behavior - Boston Herald"
Post a Comment