On March 11, 2025, the New Jersey Attorney General announced that it had issued a Finding of Probable Cause for violation of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination against a business that provides cash advances and loans to borrowers.
The Finding of Probable Cause found that the business had a policy of refusing to lend to prospective clients based on their race, national origin, or nationality, specifically finding that staff was instructed not to do business with “Chinese, African, and Spanish” borrowers. The Finding of Probable Cause also noted that the business unlawfully retaliated against an employee who reported the discrimination to the NJ Attorney Geneal, subjecting them to threats and harassment. Finally, the Finding of Probable Cause found the business maintained a hostile work environment, as executives repeatedly circulated raciest and offensive memes, gifs, and audio messages through a WhatsApp group chat.
The Finding of Probable Cause is a preliminary step to prosecution of the business. Now that the Finding of Probable Cause has been issued, the matter will be sent to conciliation for the parties to attempt to negotiate a voluntary resolution. Should conciliation fail, a Deputy Attorney General will be assigned to prosecute the business in either the Office of Administrative Law or in court.