New York AG wants Madison Square Garden CEO to explain use of facial recognition to identify and bar lawyers

New York Attorney General Letitia James wants Madison Square Garden Entertainment CEO James Dolan to explain that he is using facial recognition software at MSG and other venues he owns to identify and bar entry of attorneys who work at law firms representing anyone in litigation against him.

In a letter sent to MSGE lawyers on Wednesday, Kyle S. Rapi, a Civil Rights Bureau administrator, cited reports of the company's practice of denying admission to venues like Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall, affecting thousands of lawyers in roughly 90 law firms.

We want to raise concerns that the Policy may be in violation of the New York Civil Rights Law and other city, state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination and retaliation for engaging in protected activities. Such practices are likely to run counter to the spirit and purpose of such laws, and laws promoting equal access to the courts, the letter said.

Rapian said that not allowing lawyers to enter MSGE venues if they have connections to lawsuits against the company could dissuade such lawyers from taking legitimate cases, including sexual harassment or employment discrimination claims. He said that trying to dissuade people from bringing discrimination claims or encouraging people to drop existing lawsuits so they can enter venues for entertainment events could be in violation of city or state laws against retaliation.

ToTALLY CRAZY Fox Business reached out to MSGE for comment, but they did not respond immediately.

The letter also raised issues with facial recognition technology.

Rapi an wrote that the Company's use of facial recognition software may be plagued with biases and false positives against people of color and women.

The letter gave MSGE until February 13 to state the justifications for the Company's Policy and identify all efforts you are undertaking to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and that the Company's use of facial recognition technology will not lead to discrimination. In November, a judge criticized MSGE CEO James Dolan's use of facial recognition as totally crazy. A letter to lawyers at 90 firms that are involved in lawsuits against his business ventures was sent last June by Dolan, a 67-year-old billionaire who is also executive chairman of MSG Sports. Judge Kathaleen McCormick called the ban the stupidest thing I've ever heard at a Delaware Chancery Court hearing.