BP 3230 S State.jpg

Whitney's Tire and Auto repair was evicted from this property at 3230 S. State St. in Ann Arbor in March.

(Photo courtesy of Ann Arbor city records)

The Michigan Department of Civil Rights is urging customers who've experienced discrimination from an Ann Arbor auto care business owner to file a complaint with the state, according to a statement released Thursday.

"Like many of you, the staff of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights are concerned about news reports of allegations of racial bias and discriminatory behavior faced by customers of an automotive shop in Ann Arbor," wrote MDCR executive director Agustin Arbulu in the statement. "When someone is denied equal access to goods and services based on their race or ethnicity, it constitutes a clear violation of Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act - the law our department is charged with enforcing.

"We urge anyone who has experienced discriminatory behavior dealing with this (or another) business, to file a complaint with our department. Filing a complaint will allow MDCR to conduct a formal, impartial investigation to determine if the allegations are true, and if so, to facilitate an appropriate resolution."

The statement was made in reaction to news that Whitney's Tire and Auto Repair and Briarwood Auto Care allegedly refused service to "ghetto folks." In a response to a Yelp review of the business, a user named Jim S., representing the business, responded with a racial attack.

"Most reviews will be left by blacks from Ypsilanti. Because I don't want them to call here. Nothing against them, but given an examination, I found a way to make a boatload more money avoiding them doing commercial water heaters," Jim S. wrote in the response.

"We stick to UofM related clients, a more appropriate fit given they reside near our shop. Ghetto folks need to stay in the ghetto and not come to Ann Arbor."

The owner for the businesses, Whitney Passino, has not been reached for comment, but on Wednesday a man who identified himself as Jim Small acknowledged he was aware of the Yelp post but denied posting it. On Yelp, only someone with access to a business's account can post a response to a review.

Small, who identified himself as a day supervisor for the business, said Passino was not available for comment when The Ann Arbor News reached out Wednesday. No one answered the door at Passino's home address, and a phone call to a listing for Passino's home was not answered.

Whitney's was evicted from its storefront at 3230 S. State in early March by the property owner, Danielle Beydoun. The eviction was the result of repeated complaints received by Beydoun regarding racist and anti-gay remarks.

Beydoun did not want people to think her business approved of the accused behavior and remarks.

To file a complaint of discrimination, report a bias incident, or request information, contact the Michigan Department of Civil Rights at 800-482-3604, or online.

Matt Durr is a business reporter for The Ann Arbor News. Email him at mattdurr@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter.