Chase Discrimination Lawsuit Settlement has been reached in a case involving allegations of racial bias and wrongful termination at a JPMorgan Chase branch in Los Angeles Koreatown.
According to the Los Angeles County Superior Court, attorneys representing plaintiff Jordia Garrett notified Judge William F. Fahey on March 16 that both parties had reached a settlement, formally bringing the case to a close. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Garrett, a Black former employee, was hired in December 2016 as a Branch Operations Lead at a Chase branch located on West Olympic Boulevard in Koreatown. Her responsibilities included overseeing account-opening training for new employees, auditing private banking operations, managing branch performance, and ensuring compliance with internal policies and regulatory standards.
Allegations Behind the Chase Discrimination Lawsuit Settlement
Garrett claimed she maintained a strong performance record over nearly a decade, receiving multiple commendations. However, she alleged that her standing within the company began to decline after she raised concerns about what she described as a “Korean-preferential” work environment. According to the complaint, certain employees allegedly treated customers differently based on race. Garrett further claimed that when she reported these incidents, management attempted to suppress the concerns rather than address them. The lawsuit also included allegations that a branch manager expressed a preference for Korean employees, reportedly stating that Latino employees had lower test pass rates.
Workplace Retaliation and Termination Claims
Garrett asserted that each time she reported discrimination or compliance issues, negative evaluations were added to her personnel record. She also claimed that Korean employees who engaged in similar or more serious conduct were not disciplined. Despite raising concerns with human resources and senior management, Garrett said no meaningful action was taken. She later took medical leave due to declining health and was terminated on October 14 of last year.
Company Response and Case Closure
JPMorgan Chase denied all allegations, stating that the company has taken reasonable steps to prevent and address discrimination and workplace harassment. With the Chase Discrimination Lawsuit Settlement now finalized, the case has been officially closed. However, details of the settlement agreement remain confidential.
