The female doctor, who is Black, claims she was discriminated against and denied service because of the color of her skin. The woman is now taking legal action against the bank. She reportedly went to the bank to open an account and deposit a check from her new job. Unfortunately, the staff ultimately denied her services.
The woman from Texas, Dr. Malika Mitchell-Stewart, says she went to Chase’s First Colony branch last December to open an account and deposit a $16,000 check from her new job.
According to the lawsuit, staff members at the bank said her check was fake and questioned her job status as a doctor.
Her attorney says she provided identification and had fellow workers confirm her employment. Unfortunately, the staff ultimately denied her services.
Dr. Malika Mitchell-Stewart reportedly said:
“It was really an unfortunate situation. They took my special moment away. I felt like a criminal. I’ve never done anything wrong.
In order to get a Texas medical license… you have to have a clean record and go to school for so many years. They just didn’t care. They didn’t respect that. They didn’t respect my credentials or anything.”
The lawsuit alleges the employee returned with a woman claiming to be the branch manager, telling Dr. Mitchell-Stewart, she did not feel comfortable allowing her to open a bank account at the First Colony Branch with the check because they believed Dr. Mitchell-Stewart was attempting to commit fraud.
The suit alleges, solely because of her race, Dr. Mitchell-Stewart was discriminated against by members of the banking staff and denied services provided to non-African American customers of the bank.
Dr. Mitchell-Stewart’s attorney, Justin Moore, said the allegations outlined in the suit speak clearly to his client being discriminated against because of her race.
He also said that the Chase Bank had a history of discriminating against people of color, liking the bank’s alleged practices to redlining.
Justin Moore reportedly said: “They criminalized her and suggested she was a scammer. I think this falls within the pattern and practices with which Chase has followed for years.”
Dr. Mitchell-Stewart is reportedly requesting a jury trial, with damages listed at $1 million. But, she said that her decision to file suit had nothing to do with money, but principle.
The woman also said she’s also requested the bank to implement changes on how it trains its employees in matters of race.
Officials at Chase Bank issued a statement saying the incident is under investigation. The bank also says it has apologized to Mitchell-Stewart. But, she said no one apologized to her. This story will be updated.