Actor Tyrese Gibson confronts Home Depot employees after they refuse to process his transaction on Feb. 11, 2023 (via YouTube). Inset: Tyrese Gibson poses for photographers upon arrival at the world premiere of the film ‘Fast X’ in Rome, Friday, May 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)
Actor Tyrese Gibson has filed a million-dollar lawsuit against Home Depot over a confrontation stemming from a cashier’s refusal to process his purchase, alleging that he and two workmen were the victims of racism.
Gibson, who stars in the blockbuster “Fast & Furious” movie franchise, was at a Home Depot near his house in February when he, Eric Mora and Manual Hernandez became the targets of racial bias during an incident at checkout. He is accusing the store of race-based civil rights violations and negligent hiring and training practices. The plaintiffs allege that they have suffered damages “in excess of” $1 million.
According to a lawsuit filed Wednesday in Los Angeles, the cashier initially handling the transaction appeared to have been slow-walking the process from the start, and Gibson’s presence in the hardware store had started to cause a stir.
“Not wanting to create a disturbance in the store with his fans, Gibson decided it would be better to wait in his vehicle, which was parked outside,” the complaint says. Gibson told the cashier that he would go to the parking lot while Mora and Hernandez would complete the purchase with Gibson’s credit card — something the cashier appeared to understand, according to the complaint.
“Gibson asked the cashier if the cashier needed anything further from him to complete the transaction,” the complaint says. “The cashier said no, and that Gibson could leave.”
