Miami-Dade leader wants to reconsider Perry Ellis airport lease

The chairman of the Miami-Dade County Commission took steps Tuesday to reconsider Perry Ellis’ retail lease at Miami International Airport after the company’s incoming CEO was accused of bigotry in a lawsuit.

“I am taking this very seriously,” Chairman Jean Monestime said near the end of the day-long commission meeting. “I need someone to talk me through how I bring this back before the board.”

On Oct. 6, the clothing giant based in Doral won a no-bid lease at MIA, with airport executives saying the company qualified for retail space reserved for “iconic” local brands. On Oct. 21, Perry Ellis President Oscar Feldenkreis was sued by a top executive in federal court over allegations that Feldenkreis demanded “no blacks in my ads” and that the company not cast “anyone who looked too gay.”

Perry Ellis denied the allegations, saying in a statement that it “promotes equal opportunity and a positive working environment.” Feldenkreis is set to take over for his father, George, as CEO next year. Monestime instructed county lawyers to draw up the papers needed for the 13-member commission to revisit the lease. Seven commissioners must sign off on bringing the item back before the board.

This story was originally published November 3, 2015 at 5:36 PM with the headline "Miami-Dade leader wants to reconsider Perry Ellis airport lease."