Pennsylvania Pep Rally Leads to Lawsuit

As reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: "The Rev. James Simms, head of a community group created to push for a casino and new arena in the Lower Hill, has been sued by a man who says the minister backed out of a deal to pay public housing tenants $15 each to attend a casino pep rally.

"Tony Eaves of the Hill District says Mr. Simms agreed to pay $15 to every Bedford Dwellings tenant who attended an April 18 pep rally. The Downtown rally -- sponsored by Pittsburgh First, which is headed by Mr. Simms -- was organized to demonstrate the neighborhood's purported support for the redevelopment plan.

"Mr. Eaves, in an interview yesterday, said Mr. Simms stiffed him, fronting only $400 of the $1,200 or so that was needed to pay the 80 housing tenants bussed to the rally that day.

"…The payments don't appear to violate any law, but they have been criticized as unseemly. The Hill, a primarily black and largely impoverished neighborhood, has been promised jobs and millions in new investment if a casino comes to the area. Pittsburgh First and Isle of Capri are pledging $1 billion in overall development and $290 million toward a new arena for the Penguins…"

2006-06-06