ORLANDO – African-American and Hispanic members of a gym allege they were asked to leave the gym's facilities because of their race.
Dennis Galarza, Jason Galarza, Ericson Lubin, Joshua Pagan, Nelson Rodriguez, Cesar Seda and Luis Torres filed a complaint on May 23 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division against Fitness International LLC, doing business as LA Fitness, alleging that the business discriminated against the plaintiffs based on their race.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that in January, they went to the defendant's Winter Park location to use the pool, which they confirmed was available by a phone call. The suit states that while they were swimming, they were instructed to get out of the pool without providing any reason. They allege Caucasian patrons were not asked to leave.
The plaintiffs hold Fitness International LLC responsible because the defendant allegedly denied the plaintiffs their contractual rights to use the facility because of their race.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek all damages, all legal fees and any other relief as this court deems just. They are represented by John W. Frost II and Lydia Zbrzeznj of Frost Van Den Boom PA in Bartow.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division Case number 6:16-cv-00877-RBD-KRS