The firm advertised time-shares to, among others, English speakers. It has now agreed not to discriminate.
By Kathryn Masterson
INQUIRER SUBURBAN STAFF
A King of Prussia company that advertised its time-share vacations as available only to couples, single women,
fluent English speakers and people 65 or under has agreed to change its practices, Pennsylvania's attorney general
said yesterday.
An investigation by the attorney general concluded that Epic Resorts, along with its affiliates Epic Marketing
and Epic Resorts-Vacation Showplace, denied admission to vacation sales presentations to single men and people
over 65, said Trent Hargrove, chief deputy attorney general for civil-rights enforcement.
In 1999, Epic Resorts mailed flyers to thousands of people, offering a free color television, a camera and free
vacations if they registered for a 90-minute sales presentation on time-share resorts in Hilton Head, S.C.; Las
Vegas, Nev.; Palm Springs, Calif., and Scottsdale, Ariz., Hargrove said.
The advertisements stated that the offer was intended for single women and married, engaged or co-habiting couples
"between 26 and 65 years of age." Qualified clients also had to satisfy a minimum income, possess a major
credit card or checkbook, and "be able to speak and read English fluently."
"We take the position that prohibiting participation in the sales presentation is denial of housing,"
Hargrove said.
During the investigation, Hargrove said, Hispanic agents were not denied admission, but were questioned more vigorously.
"They were treated less courteously and otherwise discouraged from participating," Hargrove said.
Epic Resorts' restrictions violated the Fair Housing Act and the state's Human Relations Act and Consumer Protection
Law, Hargrove said.
Epic Resorts president Thomas Flatley did not return telephone calls seeking comment yesterday.
Flatley signed a voluntary compliance agreement that does not admit wrongdoing but says Epic Resorts and its affiliated
companies will not discriminate based on age, sex or national origin. The attorney general's office will review
Epic Resorts' revised promotional materials within 45 days.
"The company is no longer going to be putting out this information," said Barbara Petito, a spokeswoman
for the office.
The company also will pay the state $20,000 in fines.
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