ANOTHER SHAMEFUL CHAPTER OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION CLOSED

The St. Petersburg Times reports this morning that an agreement has been reached between Attorney General Charlie Crist's office and the former owner of a Perry motel who had discriminated against African-Americans.

Raj Patel, who has sold the Southern Inn in the Taylor County town and returned to his native India, was accused of telling black patrons that "no coloreds" were allowed in the motel swimming pool, pouring chemicals into the pool to chase blacks out, and assigning them shabbier rooms.

The agreement reached mandates that Patel pay the state $40,000 in damages, and he can never operate a place of lodging in the United States.

The victims of discriminatory acts involving the inn's swimming pool in 1999 and 2003 will receive $1,000 each. The state is accepting written claims for the next 60 days from other black guests, who can receive up to $250 if they can prove they were guests during the period of the incidents.

To be eligible, they must prove they stayed at the Southern Inn between June 1, 2000, and June 30, 2004. Forms are on the attorney general's Web site, www.myfloridalegal.com. Questions should be directed to Crist's office of civil rights at 954 712-4607.