On Wednesday, Tyrese Gibson filed a lawsuit against Home Depot because he believes his civil rights were violated after a situation he faced at one of the company’s California locations earlier this year.
According to Complex, the Fast and Furious actor and his workers, Eric Mora and Manuel Hernandez, filed a $1 million complaint with the Los Angeles Superior Court. The lawsuit stems from an encounter with an employee who worked at the establishment located near his home. Court documents claim the three men stopped by the Wells Hills location to pick up a few items. Once they retrieved what they came for, Gibson returned to their vehicle to ensure his presence didn’t draw any attention. Before he left, he gave his partners his card to finish purchasing the items and let the cashier know they had permission to do so.
Tensions rose when the Home Depot staff member allegedly denied to finish their transaction, even after the 44-year-old was notified and came back into the store. After having a dispute that caused some commotion, he was able to buy the items but was disappointed as a loyal customer.
“The cashier gave no reasonable explanation other than repeating ‘store policy’ and demanded to see a form of identification,” the lawsuit stated. “The manager refused to speak with Gibson in person. It was only after a significant heated discussion with the cashier that Gibson was finally able to complete the transaction.”
In February, a video of the incident went viral after an intense exchange transpired between him and the employee. What was captured on film was after he was allowed to purchase the items he and his team came in for.
In addition to the $1 million that accounts for the money the “Sweet Lady” singer has spent over the last decade as a customer, they’re requesting punitive damages, statutory damages and attorney’s fees. The plaintiffs want a declaratory judgment to signal that the choice of actions Home Depot took didn’t align with California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act, which provides protection from discrimination by all business establishments in California, including housing and public accommodations, because of age, ancestry, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex and sexual orientation.
Home Depot gave People an exclusive statement that declared they are a business that welcomes all and has tried to resolve the matter with Gibson.
“Diversity and respect for all people are core to who we are, and we do not tolerate discrimination in any form,” a representative told the publication. “We value Mr. Gibson as a customer, and in the months since this happened, we’ve reached out to him and his attorneys several times to try to resolve his concerns. We will continue to do so.”