Jackson Urges Boycott of Office Depot
Joining a dozen picketers outside an Office Depot store in Northridge, the Rev. Jesse Jackson on Monday called on consumers nationwide to boycott the office supply retailing giant, accusing the company of discriminating against black customers and employees.
Jackson alleged that the chain engages in “a pattern of discrimination” against African Americans in hiring and promotion and in sales. Jackson cited Los Angeles resident LaVan Bradley, 29, who claimed in state and federal lawsuits filed last year that he was repeatedly denied purchases by Office Depot clerks while a white friend received better treatment, in violation of his civil rights.
“This is unacceptable humiliation,” Jackson said.
The Delray Beach, Fla.-based company has dismissed the accusations as groundless.
“Office Depot did not, does not and will not ever discriminate,” company spokesman Gary Schweikhart said. “These allegations are completely outrageous.”
In a memo issued to its 27,000 employees in 480 stores across the country, the company said an independent review of the charges found no evidence of wrongdoing.
Schweikhart also rejected Jackson’s contention that few minorities or women hold high posts within the corporation.
“The chairman of our company is named [David] Fuente,” and the head of one of its divisions is a woman, Schweikhart said. Although no African Americans are vice presidents of the chain, “we certainly have blacks who are managers and who are at the director level.”
Jackson convened his news conference at the store where a private investigator, hired by Bradley to support his allegation, secretly videotaped his client and a white friend trying to make various purchases.
Bradley’s check was denied on the grounds his home telephone number was unlisted and, therefore, could not be verified. The white woman’s check for about the same amount was accepted although she too had an unlisted number.
Bradley contends he set out to prove a chainwide pattern of bias by visiting eight or nine Office Depot stores in Los Angeles County, including stores in Woodland Hills, Torrance, Burbank and Gardena. In all but two incidents, Bradley said, his check was refused by cashiers or managers who accused him of using fake identification or said they did not believe the checking account was his. Some told him to get cash for the purchase.
“It made me feel like everybody thought I was a criminal,” Bradley said.
His lawyers say the videotape, as well as depositions they expect from past and current employees, will prove Office Depot treats black customers differently. Attorney Howard Rosen said he has received complaints from customers throughout the country since a tabloid TV show aired a segment last week on Bradley’s lawsuit.
“They practice racist ways,” said Bradley, a used-car broker in the San Fernando Valley. “I’d like for them to admit to it and to apologize.”
Philip Ward, Office Depot’s legal counsel on the West Coast, called the accusations ludicrous.
Bradley’s checks were denied for a number of reasons, all of them valid, Ward said.
For example, some store employees noticed that Bradley took little time shopping, but instead requisitioned expensive merchandise such as laptop computers from the stockroom immediately after entering, Ward said. He said thieves seeking popular electronic items to sell on the streets often operate the same way.
Employees had also heard from other stores that “a young African American male” had been in the area writing bad checks for high-end computer equipment, Ward said. Others turned him down because they believed Bradley’s bank in Montclair was too far away, the company said.
“His checks were declined for legitimate reasons having nothing to do with the color of his skin,” said Ward, whose client has counter-sued Bradley for allegedly invading the privacy of employees whom the private detective taped without their knowledge.
Bradley and his attorneys have asked Office Depot for a $15-million settlement, which, Ward said, the company has rejected.
The lawsuit is scheduled for trial in March.
