Jackson, PUSH deny discrimination claims

CHICAGO, April 15 (UPI) -- The Rev. Jesse Jackson and his Rainbow PUSH Coalition are denying accusations of discrimination made by a former employee.

In a statement issued Thursday, Rainbow PUSH Coalition said its leaders "unequivocally deny" ex-staffer Tommy Bennett's claims of harassment, retaliation and discrimination," the Chicago Tribune reported.

Bennett reportedly said he was fired because he was gay and has filed a complaint with the Chicago Commission on Human Relations. The Rainbow PUSH Coalition said it was cooperating with the commission.

"The organization does not condone or tolerate discrimination in any form," the statement said. "[Bennett's] inflammatory allegations are an attempt to malign Reverend Jackson and the organization, and are hurtful and harmful to the progressive community."

Besides alleging Jackson fired him unjustly, Bennett said in his complaint filed last year that Jackson forced him to perform "uncomfortable" tasks, including escorting various women to hotel rooms to meet Jackson for sex, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

The Windy City Times, a gay newspaper in Chicago, first reported Bennett's allegations Wednesday.