N.J. Woman Files $1 Million Lawsuit Claiming CVS Worker Used Asian Slur On Receipt
BELMAR, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A southern New Jersey woman of Korean descent is suing CVS Pharmacy, claiming a worker used an Asian slur to identify her on a receipt for photographs.
Attorney Susan Chana Lask said Hyun Lee used her own name when ordering pictures online, but noticed her name was listed as "Ching Chong Lee'' on the receipt when she picked up the photos on Feb. 7 at a CVS in Egg Harbor City.
"Honestly I'm just horrified about this whole thing," Lee told reporters, including CBS 2's Steve Langford. "It just brought back all the memories of growing up as a minority."
"'Ching Chong' is a very pejorative, racial slur meant for Asians. That is not her name," Lask told 1010 WINS. "She was very distressed."
New Jersey Woman Claims CVS Worker Used Asian Slur On Receipt
Lask is seeking $1 million in the discrimination lawsuit filed Tuesday in Camden.
"CVS touts that they make $300 billion a year on their filings, then $1 million should be enough to teach them a lesson that their employees should not be getting away with this," Lask said.
Lee said she complained to CVS customer relations and was told the worker would be "counseled and trained.''
"There's no amount, in my opinion, of training from CVS or any company that's going to stop this kind of hate and bullying against someone's race," Lask said. "To me, this is something that deserves psychological counseling, not CVS counseling."
"She didn't get a proper response from CVS. She is suing under the federal and state discrimination law," Lask told WCBS 880's Peter Haskell.
New Jersey Woman Claims CVS Worker Used Asian Slur On Receipt
CVS issued the following statement Thursday: "CVS/Pharmacy is committed to treating all of our customers with dignity and respect and we have a firm non-discrimination policy. We take this matter very seriously as the allegations in the complaint describe behavior that is unacceptable and not in keeping with our values or our policies.
"We are looking into this matter but cannot comment further due to the pending litigation," the statement read.
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