AP: Justice investigating religious discrimination allegations

HOUSTON The Justice Department is investigating a spiritual group's allegations of religious discrimination against a Houston hotel.

Homestead Studio Suites canceled the group's reservations during an October 2002 visit by then-Chinese President Jiang Zemin (jahng zuh-MEEN').

The group claims the hotel canceled reservations of all identified as being affiliated with spiritual group Falun Gong.

The group had booked the reservations one month in advance and had planned to stay there while protesting Zemin during his visit.

But hotel officials have said the cancellations were prompted by overbooking.

Justice Department spokeswoman Kim Smith confirmed the investigation announced today by the Plano-based Liberty Legal Institute.

Smith declined further comment.