Simon Property Group, owner and manager of Aurora Mall, has issued the following statement as an apology for remarks made by a leasing representative during a telephone conversation secretly taped by a disgruntled mall tenant and aired on a local television newscast.

"We wish to extend our sincere apologies to members of the community, especially members of the minority community, the City of Aurora, and our shoppers, retailers and employees for the grossly inappropriate remarks made by one of our leasing representatives.

"We are appalled by her comments. Her behavior was disgraceful and entirely inconsistent with our corporate culture and our policies and procedures as they relate to diversity.

"She has been dismissed from the Aurora Mall redevelopment project and suspended from the company pending a full investigation of this matter after which appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.

"Contrary to remarks made by our leasing representative, we want to make it very clear that, as part of this redevelopment, there is NO intent to exclude ANYONE from our mall. We would not be a key investor in the $100 million redevelopment of Aurora Mall if we did not believe in the marketplace and our ability to reach out and appeal to all segments of our trade area.

"We take great pride in our employment and business practices in creating and fostering a diverse work environment, tenant base, shopper base and community activities.

Over 25 percent of Aurora Mall and Aurora Mall strategic partners employees are minority
Over 20 percent of Aurora Mall stores are minority owned
10 percent of the project cost has been committed to Minority Business Enterprise
First mall in the state to offer an African-American Santa during the holidays
Host to the Denver Black Arts Festival in 2004
Recently hosted the UniverSoul Circus for the second year in a row. This circus is the first in the last 100 years to be owned and operated by African Americans and to be solely composed of a troupe of international performers of African descent.
Participant and donation site for the 9Cares Colorado Shares holiday drive
Host of the Salvation Army's Giving Tree to support their efforts to provide gifts for children and seniors during the holidays
Aurora Mall also supports numerous civic, health, educational and human service organizations that benefit all segments of our community.

We ask our friends and shoppers from this community to judge us by our actions – such as those described above – and not by inappropriate remarks made by one of our employees.

"We deeply regret that this situation occurred, and we want to again express our sincere apologies to all who may have been offended. We will strive to continue our efforts to make Aurora Mall the shopping destination of choice and the centerpiece of the community where ALL will be welcome."