Tyrese Gibson accuses Home Depot of racial profiling in a $1 million lawsuit
Actor Tyrese Gibson, 44, is reportedly suing Home Depot for more than $1 million over an alleged “racial profiling” incident he says took place at their West Hills, California store, according to a new lawsuit filed on Wednesday.
According to both reports People And Fox News 11The Fast and Furious star claimed that he and two men who “regularly provide construction services for Gibson” experienced “blatant discriminatory abuse and consumer racial profiling” while at the hardware store on February 11.
Gibson and the other two plaintiffs, Eric Mora and Manuel Hernandez, are seeking $1 million in compensatory damages — which the actor said is equal to the amount he spent at the store over the years — as well as punitive damages.
In addition, negligent hiring, monitoring and retention in the company are asserted.
In response to the claims, a statement from Home Depot told The Post that they “value” the actor “as a customer.”
“Diversity and respect for all people are key to us, and we do not tolerate discrimination of any form,” the statement said. “We value Mr Gibson as a customer and have been in contact with him and his attorneys on a number of occasions in the months since this happened to try to resolve his concerns. We will continue to do so.”
However, Gibson and the plaintiffs alleged that the business “refused to accept responsibility for what happened” and even “doubled down, hired an attorney and gave Gibson, Mora and Hernandez and what happened to them as a due consideration.” didn’t treat me worthily.” – instead conclude that they are the problem.”
In February, the three men went to the store on Victory Boulevard, the lawsuit says, but Gibson gradually became recognized by fans, the lawsuit says.
He decided to have the other two men pay for the items with his credit card while walking to the car, which he allegedly told the cashier.
But the cashier refused to complete the transaction, so Gibson came in again to try to smooth things over.
Matters only got worse from there, as the lawsuit alleges that the cashier “did not make any reasonable explanation other than repeating the rules of procedure and requesting ID” and that the manager refused to deal with the speaking actors.
“It was only after a heated argument with the teller that Gibson was finally able to complete the transaction,” the lawsuit reads.
Both Gibson and the two plaintiffs believe the incident and the cashier’s actions were racially motivated.
The lawsuit alleged that employees at the Home Depot store “deliberately intervened in the transaction and refused to complete it because they identified Gibson, Mora and Hernandez because of the color of their skin and, in the case of Mora and Hernandez, because of their national origin.” suspected without reason.” .”
As a result, the three “suffered shame, humiliation and emotional distress,” the lawsuit says.
There was also a video clip showing the alleged incident as well as Gibson’s FaceTime with the cashier after he left the store uploaded to YouTubeaccording to People.
“My issue with what happened is I’ve lived three blocks from here for 10 years and if that’s politics… why are you the first person to stop my team and my ability to get here , if I…” “Have you been coming to this particular Home Depot for 10 years?” he is heard saying to the cashier.
The Post has reached out to Gibson officials for comment.
