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Fifth Third Financial institution has denied allegations that its staff racially discriminated in opposition to a black girl who was attempting to money a on line casino examine. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
Hitting the jackpot
Fifth Third Financial institution has denied claims that it racially discriminated in opposition to a black girl in Michigan by refusing to money her on line casino examine. Lizzie Pugh has filed a federal lawsuit in opposition to the financial institution after she was unable to money a five-figure on line casino jackpot win at a Fifth Third Financial institution location.
lawsuit didn’t define the precise quantity of the examine
The 71-year-old received the jackpot taking part in a slot machine on the Hovering Eagle On line casino and Resort in Mount Nice. She visited the property with a church group when she received the large prize. Pugh determined to pay the taxes due on the winnings on the on line casino, receiving the rest of her prize cash within the type of a examine, in addition to a small sum of money.
The lawsuit didn’t define the precise quantity of the examine, detailing solely that it bumped into 5 figures.
Points on the financial institution
A few days after the win, Pugh determined to deposit the winnings along with her financial institution. She tried to create a financial savings account to deposit the money however three white ladies staff at a Fifth Third Financial institution location deemed the examine fraudulent. One of many employees members allegedly tried to maintain maintain of the examine.
deposited it in Chase financial institution that very same day with no points
It has since been confirmed that the examine is respectable. It has the tackle and emblem of the on line casino on it, in addition to Pugh’s full identify and the identical house tackle as her driving license. She finally recollected the examine and deposited it in Chase financial institution that very same day with no points.
Commenting on the ordeal, Pugh mentioned: “For somebody to only accuse you of stealing? I’m 71 years outdated. Why would I steal a examine and attempt to money it?” Her niece finally persuaded her to file a lawsuit, labeling the occasions “a violation of her civil rights.”
Pugh confirmed that she initially grew up in Alabama throughout a time when racism was rife. She mentioned she was the topic of bullying as the one black youngster in her faculty.
Fifth Third Financial institution responds
As reported by the Detroit Free Press, s spokesperson for Fifth Third Financial institution has issued an announcement denying the lawsuit’s allegations. It asserts that the financial institution is an establishment dedicated to providing accountable and honest banking whereas prohibiting discrimination of any form.
Pugh’s lawyer is Deborah Gordon, who dealt with an identical case in 2020. She sued a financial institution after it refused to money her consumer’s settlement examine. The financial institution finally issued an apology and settled the case privately.
The assertion additionally affirmed that financial institution staff obtain coaching to assist them take care of the wants of individuals “whereas minimizing potential fraud threat.” The financial institution claims that the info of the case are completely different from these outlined within the lawsuit and that its staff on the day of the incident in query adopted the required procedures.