The CEO of luxury department store Barneys New York apologized and said the store has hired civil rights experts after two black customers said they were stopped by police after making expensive purchases.
Mark Lee said in a statement Thursday that that “no customer should have the unacceptable experience” of being accosted by police after making a purchase at the store, NBC News 4 New York reported.
Lee said the store has hired Michael Yaki, who serves on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, to lead a review of fairness and equality practices, News 4 reported.
Lee’s comments came as a civil rights organization demanded a meeting with him and threatened to picket the store over the customers’ allegations.
Trayon Christian, 19, of Queens said after he bought a $349 Ferragamo belt on April 29 he was handcuffed and detained for two hours before being released with no charges. He filed a discrimination lawsuit against Barneys and the New York City Police Department on Monday.