Detroit man Sauntore Thomas, 44, was trying to deposit a check from a racial discrimination settlement at a TCF Bank in Livonia when a bank employee called the police, believing that the checks weren't valid. Thomas' attorney, Deborah Gordan spoke with a bank employee to provide information to validate the checks' authenticity.
Gordan explained, "I got on the phone with the bank. I sent them my federal court complaint, to see that it matched. I did everything. Obviously, assumptions were made the minute he walked in based on his race. It’s unbelievable that this guy got done with a race discrimination case and he’s not allowed to deposit the check based on his case? It’s absolutely outrageous."
Thomas also commented on the situation, stating, "I didn’t deserve treatment like that when I knew that the check was not fraudulent. I’m a United States veteran. I have an honorable discharge from the Air Force. They discriminated against me because I’m black. None of this would have happened if I were white."
Following the incident, Thomas closed his account at TCF and took the checks to a nearby Chase bank. He is now suing TCF, alleging racial discrimination by the bank.
Source: Detroit Free Press
