BET founder Bob Johnson accuses Fla. hotel of ‘racial profiling’
Manalapan FL Sept 5 2018
Black Entertainment Television founder and America’s first black billionaire Bob Johnson accused a ritzy Florida hotel of “racial profiling” after he said he was denied check-in for refusing to remove his prescription sunglasses.
Mr. Johnsontold WPBF that the incident occurred when he was trying to check in for two nights at the Eau Palm Beach in Manalapan after a fishing trip on Aug. 24. He said he turned over his Florida driver’s license, his American Express card and passport to the front desk but was ultimately turned away after failing to comply with the hotel’s security policy.
“She said, ‘Well, I can’t check you in if you don’t take off your glasses,’” Mr. Johnson recalled. “I said, ‘Well, I’m not taking off my glasses.’”
He said the police were called but no compromise was reached, so he left. Records showed Manalapan police responded to the hotel and talked with Mr. Johnson, WPBF reported.
Hotel spokesman Nick Gold said the clerk was following standard policy.
“It is standard operating procedure in the industry to ask to make sure that the person who is presenting themselves
Washington Times
