Chase is issuing an apology after they refused to accept a check issued by the state to a man that spent 23 years in prison on a wrongful conviction.
New York Daily News reports Darryl Fulton attempted twice to deposit a $169,876 check that was paid to him by the state fund for wrongly imprisoned people. After two failed attempts, the bank says they should have taken the check.
Kathleen Zellner criticized Chase for not allowing Fulton to deposit a $169,876 check from the state at its bank branch on 79th Street and Cicero Avenue, questioning whether racism played a part. The first time Fulton tried to deposit the money, Zellner said, the bank said she would have to endorse the check because her firm’s name was under his, though Fulton’s name was on the “pay to the order of” line.
Zellner said the law firm’s name was on the check because it was mailed to her office.
The second time, Zellner said, Chase contended Fulton signed above her name and the check would need to be deposited in her account. Zellner got on the phone with the bank but employees wouldn’t deposit it, she said.
In a statement, Chase said it “should have accepted (Fulton’s) check during his initial visit.” The bank did not specifically address whether Fulton’s race was a factor.
“We did offer to deposit the check on his return visit and have reached out to him to clear up any confusion,” the bank said. “We regret the error and apologize for the inconvenience.”
Fulton was released from prison after spending 23 years behind bars for the slaying of Antwinica Bridgeman.