Dozens more Armenian Americans have joined their names to the list of those suing Citibank, accusing the lender of allegedly discriminating against people with Armenian surnames.
The lawsuit accuses Citibank of allegedly discriminating against people of Armenian descent, allegedly claiming the lender has labeled Armenians as "bad guys" at greater risk of committing credit card fraud.
The plaintiffs include 75 California residents, all with ethnic Armenian last names.
Defendants include Citigroup Inc., Citibank N.A., and others.
The lawsuit followed a similar action filed against Citibank in Los Angeles federal court at the end of November 2023.
Both suits level similar accusations of discrimination.
"Defendants deliberately and systematically employed the 'yan' or 'iarr' identification criterion as a broad and calculated means of discriminating against Armenian Americans as a whole," the newer suit claims.
"Defendants did not merely subject applications with Armenian last names to heightened scrutiny; they intentionally targeted them, concealing the true reasons for the denials. Plaintiffs were unfairly singled out as more prone to fraud, labeled as 'bust outs' based on the unfounded perception that they were likely to accumulate significant charges and then evade responsibility, such as leaving the country without settling the charges.
"The derogatory references made by Defendants, such as 'Armenian bad guys' or the 'southern California Armenian Mafia,' are not isolated instances but symptomatic of a pervasive discriminatory mindset within the organization."
The plaintiffs claim Citibank's alleged actions violated California laws.
They are seeking unspecified actual and punitive damages, plus attorney fees.
They are represented by attorneys Harout Greg Keosian, Eileen Keusseyan, Zareh Jack Keosian and Melkon R. Melkonian, of Keosian Law LLP, of Sherman Oaks.