The head of U.S. Bank is now apologizing for what is being called a classic example of “Banking while Black” after a customer was accused of fraud and put in handcuffs while trying to cash his paycheck.
As 5 INVESTIGATES first reported this week, a U.S. Bank branch manager in Columbia Heights called police to report a “possible fraudulent check” and a suspect posing a threat.
Joe Morrow’s check was real, but police body camera video shows the manager didn’t call to verify that fact until after Morrow was in handcuffs.
“I am deeply sorry for where we have failed,” U.S. Bank’s Chief Executive Officer Andy Cecere wrote in a letter Friday. “What Mr. Morrow experienced is not the experience that any customer should have.”
Police video shows how cashing a paycheck led to handcuffs.
Police video shows how cashing a paycheck led to handcuffs.
KSTP-TV
The apology came days after 5 INVESTIGATES reported on the police body camera video that outraged racial justice advocates, civil rights attorneys and other people of color across the country who shared similar experiences.