Leslie v. Philadelphia 1976 Bicentennial Corp.

332 F. Supp. 83, 3 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas. (BNA) 998, 1971 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 11709, 4 Empl. Prac. Dec. (CCH) 7524
CourtDistrict Court, E.D. Pennsylvania
DecidedSeptember 10, 1971
DocketCiv. A. No. 70-3503
StatusPublished
Cited by12 cases

This text of 332 F. Supp. 83 (Leslie v. Philadelphia 1976 Bicentennial Corp.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, E.D. Pennsylvania primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Leslie v. Philadelphia 1976 Bicentennial Corp., 332 F. Supp. 83, 3 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas. (BNA) 998, 1971 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 11709, 4 Empl. Prac. Dec. (CCH) 7524 (E.D. Pa. 1971).

Opinion

OPINION AND ORDER

EDWARD R. BECKER, District Judge.

I. Preliminary Statement

On December 12, 1969, plaintiff, Catherine Leslie (“Leslie”), was hired by defendant The Philadelphia 1976 Bicentennial Corporation (“Bicentennial Corp.”) as its Coordinator of Community Development.1 Leslie’s complaint alleges that it was agreed that her employment was to be through the year 1976, during which it is contemplated that an international exposition celebrating the 200th anniversary of the founding of our nation will take place in Philadelphia, under the aegis of Bicentennial Corp. On October 20, 1970, Leslie was discharged from her employment by Bicentennial Corp., setting the stage for this action.

Leslie’s complaint alleges that she was discharged because of her exercise of First Amendment rights of speech and association. Leslie charges that Bicentennial Corp. had manifested a disregard of, and an antipathy towards, the black community of the City of Philadelphia, of which she is a member and that when she spoke out in an effort to alter Bicentennial Corp.’s “collision course” with the black community, her employment was terminated without notice or hearing. Jurisdiction is invoked under the Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1981, 1983, 1985, 1985(3) and 28 U.S.C. § 1343, to redress the deprivation under color of state law of rights, privileges and immunities secured by the Constitution. Leslie also claims: (1) that the manner of her discharge violated her Fourteenth Amendment rights; and (2) that during the course of her employment with Bicentennial Corp., she was discriminated against because of her sex, by being compensated at a rate less than that paid to male employees doing comparable work, so as to give rise to a claim under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, § 706(f), 42 U.S.C. 2000e-5(f).

Bicentennial Corp. is a non-profit Pennsylvania corporation. Named as defendants in addition to Bicentennial Corp. are Henderson Supplee, Jr. (“Supplee”), its Chairman of the Board and Robert McLean, 3d (“McLean”), its Vice President of Administration, the latter being the individual who discharged Leslie.2

[85]*85Bicentennial Corp. has filed a motion to dismiss as to Supplee and McLean on the ground that the complaint fails to state a claim for relief against them individually. In its motion, Bicentennial Corp. also asserts that the Court lacks jurisdiction over the equal opportunity claim because Leslie has failed to exhaust her administrative remedies with respect thereto. In addition to its motion, Bicentennial Corp. has filed an answer in which it denies Leslie’s allegations that she was discharged because of her exercise of First Amendment rights. In its answer, Bicentennial Corp. has averred: (1) that it was indeed responsive to the attitudes of the black community; (2) that it encouraged Leslie to express her views to the corporation, and cooperated with her in her work; (3) that Leslie chose to make public statements and to take public actions without notice to the corporation or its administrative staff, which undermined its cooperation with the black community; (4) that Leslie was then informed that a replacement was being sought for her, but that her services were still desired in a different capacity; (5) that ultimately a replacement for her was found; (6) that Leslie then held a press conference charging the Bicentennial Corp. administration with being racially biased; and (7) that following the press conference Leslie was discharged “in the best interests of herself and the corporation”.

In addition to the foregoing, Bicentennial Corp.’s answer raises the contention that the Court’s jurisdiction is not properly invoked because the corporation’s action in discharging Leslie is not state action within the meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment and the Civil Rights Act. Leslie concedes that if state action is not present, federal jurisdiction fails. The parties and the Court agreed that this aspect of the case was sever-able, and accordingly a trial was held on this issue alone, consisting principally of documentary exhibits. We have received briefs and heard oral argument, and, in this Opinion, proceed to determine the state action question. We will also dispose of Bicentennial Corp.’s motion to dismiss the action against Supplee and McLean and its motion to dismiss the equal opportunity count.

II. Is Bicentennial Corp.’s Action State Action Within The Meaning Of The Civil Rights Act?

The year 1976 will mark the two hundredth anniversary of American independence, and Americans will celebrate the event.3 The Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia, and for over a decade, civic minded Philadelphians and government officials have been planning for an international exposition to be held in their city as the focal point of the national bicentennial celebration. Bicentennial Corp. has been the vehicle for these efforts.4

[86]*86At this juncture, we turn to a consideration of Bicentennial Corp.’s history and structure, and its funding and assets. In the course of our Discussion, we will touch upon Bicentennial Corp.’s manner of operation.

A. Corporate History and Structure

Bicentennial Corp.’s formal origin was in Resolution No. 282 of the Philadelphia City Council, adopted February 9, 1967. The ordinance requested the City Solicitor:

“to take all steps necessary for the creation of a non-profit corporation, the function of which will be to coordinate and carry out all activities for the furtherance of the objectives of the City of Philadelphia and various other business, civic and historical groups or organizations in securing official designation of the City of Philadelphia as the focal point of the national celebration in 1976 of the two hundredth anniversary of the signing of the American Declaration of Independence.”

The resolution designated as the incorporators a cross-section of private citizens and public officials, including the Mayor and City Solicitor of the City of Philadelphia, and the President of Philadelphia City Council. When the corporation was formed, its place of business was listed as Room 1660 Municipal Services Building, the office of the Philadelphia City Representative and Director of Commerce.

On March 22, 1967, articles of incorporation prepared by the City Solicitor were filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia (March Term, 1967, No. 252). Article III of the articles of incorporation set forth the purposes for which the corporation is formed. These purposes include:

“A.

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Bluebook (online)
332 F. Supp. 83, 3 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas. (BNA) 998, 1971 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 11709, 4 Empl. Prac. Dec. (CCH) 7524, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/leslie-v-philadelphia-1976-bicentennial-corp-paed-1971.