Style Weekly
Discriminating Strip Club? Paper Moon Settles Suit
by Vernal ColemanRichmond's premier strip-club company, the Paper Moon, has settled a discrimination lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
In 2009, the EEOC filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of two black employees of the company's strip club in Stuart, Fla., charging that the Paper Moon's ownership subjected them to racial epithets and discrimination.
Rock Georges and Desmond Lawrence, who worked as doormen at the club, say they were told by club management that they had to work in the back of the club so they couldn't be seen by customers. Anyone who complained, they alleged, either had their hours cut back or was fired. Owner Frazier Boyd also told managers that “black music” made the “club look bad,” according to court documents.
The Paper Moon agreed to pay Georges and Lawrence $95,000 in back pay and compensatory damages.
As a kicker to the deal, Boyd agreed to issue a written anti-discrimination policy to employees at the Stuart club. Whether that policy has been implemented at Boyd's other clubs is unclear. Calls seeking comment weren't returned.
Other Publications
