When a Detroit man settled a workplace discrimination case in early 2020, he expected the dispute to be over finally. Instead, he faced another setback after his bank refused to process his settlement checks. What should have been a straightforward deposit turned into a second lawsuit, leaving him once again in a courtroom setting.
The First Legal Battle: Workplace Discrimination
The story began with Sauntore Thomas, an African American working at Enterprise Leasing Company in Michigan. Thomas accused the company of racial discrimination and retaliation, saying that the workplace environment was unfair and harmful. After filing a lawsuit, both sides eventually reached a confidential settlement in January 2020. Thomas received checks meant to close the case and compensate for what he had endured. With that step resolved, he headed to the bank to deposit the funds.
The Bank Visit That Sparked a Second Lawsuit
Thomas visited a TCF Bank branch in Livonia, Michigan, with the settlement checks. Instead of processing the deposit, staff members questioned whether the checks were genuine. They did not verify the checks through his attorney or other proper channels. Instead, employees chose not to complete the transaction. Thomas left the branch without his deposit completed, carrying the valid checks back out the door.
Police Involvement and Escalation
The situation escalated when bank staff contacted local police. Officers arrived and spoke with Thomas, but after reviewing the matter, they determined no crime had occurred. Thomas was not detained, and he left with his checks. Even though the checks were legitimate, the visit ended in frustration. The experience left him feeling singled out in a way that went beyond standard banking caution.
Filing a Second Lawsuit Against the Bank
Following the incident, Thomas filed a lawsuit against TCF Bank. He accused the institution of discrimination for refusing to process his legal settlement checks. His attorney argued that the bank treated him differently than it would have treated other customers with the same documents. Only days after the resolution of his employment lawsuit, the case added another legal burden for Thomas. It became a separate fight over how banks handle issues of trust and fairness with their clients.
Public Reaction and Bank Response
The story drew widespread media coverage in early 2020. TCF Bank released a statement denying discrimination, saying the decision was based on concerns about possible fraud. Bank representatives explained that the checks raised internal red flags that required further review. Critics, however, noted that Thomas had documentation from his attorney that could have confirmed the legitimacy of the checks. The bank defended its employees but faced questions about whether bias played a role in their decision to involve police.
Why This Story Still Matters
Although the events took place in 2020, they continue to be referenced in discussions about discrimination in financial services. For Thomas, the case showed how quickly a routine transaction could become another legal challenge. The lawsuit highlighted how people can face barriers even after winning settlements to correct earlier wrongs. Financial institutions have since faced growing pressure to examine how they train staff to recognize fraud without unfairly targeting customers. The Detroit case remains a clear reminder that equality is an issue in workplaces and day-to-day interactions with banks.
Disclaimer: This article was created with AI assistance and edited by a human for accuracy and clarity.
Read More: Employee Sues After 20 Years of Pay Without Work: ‘They Never Gave Me Any Work’