Whitehouse, Beach Club Decry Allegations Of 'Whites-Only' Policy

NEWPORT, RI — Both Sheldon Whitehouse and an elite Newport beach club fired back this week following seemingly baseless allegations that it does not admit people of color.

In a statement to WPRI, Baileys Beach Club management said that "recent characterizations in the press and in other commentary about Baileys Beach Club are inaccurate and false," adding that "club members and their families have included people of many racial, religious, and ethnic backgrounds from around the world."

In a statement, Whitehouse's Office told Patch that "the club has no such restrictive policy [and] ... has had and has members of color."

The story gained national attention from outlets including CNN, CBS and NBC. All the stories linked back to one article published by GoLocalProv which alleged that the organization had a "whites-only" membership policy. Patch could not find any information to substantiate GoLocal's claims.

Whitehouse's congressional colleagues leapt to his defense.

"Sheldon Whitehouse has been a fighter for racial and economic justice his whole life. Full stop," Rep. David Cicilline tweeted.

"I know Sheldon Whitehouse's heart, and I’ve seen his relentless work fighting for equity for all Rhode Islanders firsthand," Rep. Jim Lengevin said. "Anyone suggesting otherwise is dead wrong."