Barney’s Settles Racial Profiling Suit for $525,000

Barney's has agreed to a $525,000 settlement in the racial profiling case that had the public in an uproar for Jay-Z to end his partnership with the retailer. From the NY Times:

After a nine-month investigation, Barneys New York has agreed to pay $525,000 and institute a host of reforms to settle accusations that it singled out minority shoppers for heightened surveillance at its store on Madison Avenue.

The investigation, led by the state attorney general, Eric T. Schneiderman, showed a “disproportionate number of African-American and Latino customers being detained for alleged shoplifting or credit card fraud.”

“Profiling and racial discrimination remain a problem in our state, but not one we are willing to accept,” Mr. Schneiderman said in a statement. “This agreement will continue our work to ensure there’s one set of rules for everyone in public accommodations.

That settlement is WEAK. How did the plaintiffs not ask for a cool million? Only $525k, huh? McDonald's out here giving ladies like 3 million for finding rat heads in their nuggets or whatever. Anyways, here's more:

“Profiling is an unacceptable practice and will not be tolerated,” reads the document, which was posted in stores like Bloomingdale’s, Lord & Taylor and Saks Fifth Avenue. “Employees who violate the company’s prohibition on profiling will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.”

In its agreement with the state, Barneys pledged to hire an “independent anti-profiling consultant with expertise in the prevention of racial profiling in loss prevention and asset protection.”

The store also vowed to improve its record keeping, limit access to its surveillance videos and reform how it detains suspected shoplifters.

Mark Lee, the chief executive officer of Barneys, said the agreement, reported in The Daily News, would help them strengthen the company.

“We are a truly progressive company that has absolutely no tolerance for discrimination of any kind,” he said.

Hmm? So, Shawn Carter, could you please explain to us why Barney's settled? We're not accusing anyone of anything, but we don't know many people who settle lawsuits when they're innocent.