New York City-based luxury perfume brand accused of racial profiling black customers

Robledo claims that during her nine year tenure, she witnessed Rahme target black customers as potential thieves as soon as they entered the store. Rahme would even tip off security with the code “we need the light bulbs changed.”

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From Clutch Magazine:

In case you ever wondered if racial profiling in stores is real, take the current lawsuit of luxury fragrance company, Bond no. 9, as possible evidence. Owner Laurice Rahme is being sued for $3 million dollars by former employees, Veronica Robledo and Karin Windmann.

Their accusations are inflammatory. Robledo claims that during her nine year tenure, she witnessed Rahme target black customers as potential thieves as soon as they entered the store. Rahme would even tip off security with the code “we need the light bulbs changed.”

Robledo, who is of Puerto-Rican descent, was forbidden from serving white customers because of her dark skin. She also recalls being accused of knowing a black person who shoplifted in another store based on race alone. “I was very offended,” she told The New York Daily News. “The last eight months were torture. I was afraid to speak to a black customer.”

Read the rest of this story on Clutch Magazine.

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