CVS Health says it has apologized after a black customer says a white store manager called the police on her and accused her of using a fake coupon at a CVS in Chicago.
Camilla Hudson shared a video on her personal Facebook page of the store manager, Morry Matson, calling the cops.
Hudson said she tried to use a manufacturer coupon to replace a defective product, which the manager on duty refused to accept, saying it looked fraudulent.{mosads}
Hudson says that Matson tried to call the police twice, because they hung up on him the first time. In the second call, she said that Matson accused her of harassing him. No police action was taken.
The video shows Matson describing Hudson as “African-American.”
“I’m black,” she responds. “Black isn’t a bad word.”
In the video, Matson’s left hand is shaking noticeably as he talks to police. Hudson said the shaking started once Matson started talking to the police on the phone.
Matson was a state delegate for President Trump’s presidential campaign and is running for alderman, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. He is also president of an Illinois group that advocates for LGBT Republicans.
CVS spokesperson Mike DeAngelis told the Chicago Sun-Times that the company has begun an investigation into the incident.
“We sincerely apologize to Ms. Hudson for her experience in one of our stores,” DeAngelis said. “CVS has begun an investigation and we will take any corrective action that is warranted to prevent it from happening again.”
“CVS Pharmacy does not tolerate any practices that discriminate against any customer and we are committed to maintaining a welcoming and diverse environment in our stores,” DeAngelis added. “We have firm non-discrimination policies in place to help ensure that all customers are treated with respect and dignity.”
Hudson told the Chicago Sun-Times that the CVS regional director “apologized profusely” to her.