Suit Alleges Discrimination
David M. Bresnahan
June 22, 2005
Company Makes Millions in Black Neighborhoods while Discriminating Against Black Employees According to Suit
A black manager with 16 years of faithful service claims his employer fired him for reporting discrimination, and he says the company makes millions from locations in black neighborhoods.
Joe Coleman, president of Rite Check Cashing Corporation, denied the allegations of racism and discrimination filed by his former manager, Michael Jenkins.
Jenkins said Coleman progressively forced every black employee to leave the company over a number of years, and when Jenkins reported displeasure with the racial slurs he was forced to endure every day he was promptly fired.
These check cashing outlets probably make millions of dollars a year in black neighborhoods and have allowed their employees to violate the civil rights of black people,” said Jamel Oeser-Sweat, attorney for Jenkins. “If Mr. Jenkins didn’t tape these incidents, no one would believe him.”
Jenkins said he resorted to recording the racial comments because his initial complaints to his superiors were ignored. He has a large collection of recordings that seem to provide ample evidence that his complaints are true. He said he became a whistle blower because his company ignored his complaints.
For 16 years of faithful service, his reward wasn’t a gold watch, it was having the misfortune of being constantly called ‘nigger,’ ‘monkey,’ and ‘Kunta Kinte,’” said Oeser-Sweat.
Jenkins also has recordings of conversations with others as well, such as Matt Bardach, president of the Check Cashing Association. Jenkins also succeeded in getting a prospective employer to record a call to Coleman regarding a job reference, gaining further evidence for his claims of being mistreated.
Jenkins said he will make the many recordings available to members of the media who wish to verify his claims, with the hope that the public will become aware of the injustice taking place in many black neighborhoods.
I am hoping to expose these racist acts to the people of our community and throughout the nation. If Mr. Coleman is not held accountable, he and others like him will continue to openly abuse African Americans.
Someone had to stand up to such vulgar behavior, and now I need to create public awareness to help others avoid suffering the way I have,” said Jenkins.
A black manager with 16 years of faithful service claims his employer fired him for reporting discrimination, and he says the company makes millions from locations in black neighborhoods.
Joe Coleman, president of Rite Check Cashing Corporation, denied the allegations of racism and discrimination filed by his former manager, Michael Jenkins.
Jenkins said Coleman progressively forced every black employee to leave the company over a number of years, and when Jenkins reported displeasure with the racial slurs he was forced to endure every day he was promptly fired.
These check cashing outlets probably make millions of dollars a year in black neighborhoods and have allowed their employees to violate the civil rights of black people,” said Jamel Oeser-Sweat, attorney for Jenkins. “If Mr. Jenkins didn’t tape these incidents, no one would believe him.”
Jenkins said he resorted to recording the racial comments because his initial complaints to his superiors were ignored. He has a large collection of recordings that seem to provide ample evidence that his complaints are true. He said he became a whistle blower because his company ignored his complaints.
For 16 years of faithful service, his reward wasn’t a gold watch, it was having the misfortune of being constantly called ‘nigger,’ ‘monkey,’ and ‘Kunta Kinte,’” said Oeser-Sweat.
Jenkins also has recordings of conversations with others as well, such as Matt Bardach, president of the Check Cashing Association. Jenkins also succeeded in getting a prospective employer to record a call to Coleman regarding a job reference, gaining further evidence for his claims of being mistreated.
Jenkins said he will make the many recordings available to members of the media who wish to verify his claims, with the hope that the public will become aware of the injustice taking place in many black neighborhoods.
I am hoping to expose these racist acts to the people of our community and throughout the nation. If Mr. Coleman is not held accountable, he and others like him will continue to openly abuse African Americans.
Someone had to stand up to such vulgar behavior, and now I need to create public awareness to help others avoid suffering the way I have,” said Jenkins.
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