Florida woman files discrimination lawsuit against bank after arrest

According to the allegations made in the lawsuit, a retired teacher named Linda Stevens, now 70, suffered a broken nose during her arrest following an incident at the MidFlorida Credit Union.

After being arrested in what is being called another case of “banking while black,” a Florida woman decided to file a lawsuit against a credit union for racial discrimination.

When 70-year-old retired black teacher Linda Stevens walked into the MidFlorida Credit Union branch in Bartow in April 2021 to inquire about a $600 ATM deposit, things quickly spiraled out of control. According to a recent report by The Credit Union Times, prominent civil rights lawyer Ben Crump has filed a civil lawsuit against the banking institution in question.

Crump claims that his client, who has been a member of MidFlorida for almost half a century, was subjected to racial prejudice, which led to her detention for disorderly conduct, as well as abuse and abuse by police officers. Crump’s client was also arrested for disorderly conduct.

Around 1:00 am on April 13, 2021, Stevens used an ATM (ATM) at a Bartow branch to post a $600 cash deposit to pay off her mortgage. After exiting the ATM, she took the receipt for the deposit with her.

The complaint says Stevens was visibly upset and dismayed about her $600 when it was still not shipped the next day after she made two visits to the bank to check it. The bank manager then entered the office, confronted an irate Stevens, and insisted that he calm down before contacting the police.

Shortly thereafter, an officer from the Bartow Police Department arrived on the scene and crouched behind Stevens. According to the allegations made in the lawsuit, after a brief pause, another officer entered the office brandishing a firearm and stating that he believed the voice on the phone indicated that someone was armed. He also stated that he assumed the man with the gun was someone else.

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