Fieger claims snub by Detroit Athletic Club

He became famous for representing assisted suicide doctor Jack Kevorkian, once ran for governor and has been listed among the top litigators in the nation.

But attorney Geoffrey Fieger — who likes to market himself as a champion for the underdog — apparently isn't the right material for the Detroit Athletic Club.

Fieger says he was rejected for membership in the exclusive social club, whose members include many of the area's top movers and shakers.

Never one to mince words, Fieger on Friday lashed out.

"This is a continuation of a long history of bigotry," Fieger said of the private social club that once did not admit African Americans or Jews. "Geoffrey Fieger is the new black."

Tony Magdowski, who is serving as president of the club's board of directors, said he would be happy to discuss the centennial celebration of the club being in its building on Madison in Detroit, but "other matters with the club, those are private matters and we don't discuss those in the public."

Magdowski said the club's commitment is firm, it has solid citizens and "a very diverse membership."

Fieger, a former Democratic gubernatorial candidate, said he isn't normally a club joiner, but saw an article that said the 128-year-old club was looking for new members and he previously had been at events outside the club.

He said he wasn't aware of the "labyrinthine" procedure to become a member — a sponsor and six members to write letters in addition to meeting the membership committee.

About two weeks ago, Fieger said, he received a call from his friend, furniture mogul Art Van Elslander, who was his sponsor for the membership. Van Elslander told him that someone from the club said they would never let Fieger in and that they didn't like him.

Fieger said Van Elslander was asked to withdraw his recommendation, to which Van Elslander said no, then to call Fieger to get him to withdraw. Fieger said the same situation happened to Howard Linden, who also supported him. Linden, a probate attorney, could not be reached for comment.

Fieger said he was not going to withdraw and he had to go "look them in the eye."

On Feb. 20, Fieger said, he went to the club to meet the board even though he knew they "fixed the deck." He said "the antipathy toward me" was apparent. He said he had no name tag as a prospective member, no file.

Fieger said Van Elslander received a call on Thursday indicating the club decided it was not letting Fieger in.

Diane Charles, a spokeswoman for Van Elslander, released a statement.

"Part of the DAC application process requires that a prospective member be sponsored by a current member, and Mr. Van Elslander agreed to be Mr. Fieger's sponsor. The process is now out of his hands and rests with the board of the DAC. Mr. Van Elslander has no further comment regarding the matter," the statement said.

Fieger said he doesn't know why he was not accepted. Was it because he is half-Jewish? Too outspoken for African-American rights? Too liberal? An advocate for Dr. Jack Kevorkian? Was it a judge who hears his cases?

Fieger said the club won't send a letter rejecting him. And, he said, "they won't tell me what was the problem with me, tell me who did this," though he said there were a number of letters — about 20 of them — opposing his membership.

Fieger said he's not bitter, angered or disappointed. He said he's "just saddened by the continuation of bigotry."

"I didn't think that type of invidious hatred still exists," Fieger said, adding that this doesn't speak to all the club's members, but the "hierarchy are deeply ensconced in that old tradition."

Contact Christina Hall: chall99@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @challreporter.