Minority bar owners drop racketeering claims against Racine

RACINE, Wis. (AP) — Minority bar owners have withdrawn racketeering and corruption claims in a federal lawsuit against the city of Racine and its officials.

Civil rights claims remain against nine defendants, including the mayor, the police chief and other city leaders. Seven plaintiffs claim the defendants engaged in an elaborate plot to drive minority bar owners out of the city. Their lawsuit was filed in February in federal court in Milwaukee.

The city will ask that the civil rights claims be dismissed when it files a motion for summary judgment, which is due Wednesday. The Racine Journal Times says a jury trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 16.