Macy's released a statement in response to a lawsuit from an actor on HBO's "Treme" who said he was stopped while buying sunglasses in the store because he is black denying that the department store's employees detained the man.
A lawsuit filed by Robert Brown in state Supreme Court in Manhattan Friday alleges the actor was stopped by police at the 34th Street location after employees there contacted authorities about possible credit card fraud. He says he was held at the store, handcuffed and searched before being released.
In the statement Sunday, Macy's said that its "personnel were not involved in Mr. Brown's detention or questioning," which was "an operation of the New York City Police Department."
The NYPD is also named in the lawsuit.
Brown's accusation came after Barneys New York said it was hiring a civil rights expert to review its procedures following complaints from two black customers who said they were harassed by police after making purchases.
Barneys New York CEO Mark Lee apologized in a statement Thursday about the claims against its Manhattan store, adding that "no customer should have the unacceptable experience" of being accosted by police after making a purchase at the store.
In its Sunday statement, Macy's said "the allegations are especially concerning given that our company does not tolerate discrimination of any kind, including racial profiling."
Messages left with Brown's attorney seeking comment were not immediately returned.
