Citibank plays hardball but cannot explain why they refused to open a bank account for a black man and threaten his arrest.

Got this update from Mr. Gillenwater just now:

Attorney Velella:

The lawyer that contacted the bank was not my attorney but was rather the attorney for the Defendant in the legal malpractice cases.

It seems that your information is somewhat shaky on that, and if it is shaky on that it is just as likely to be shaky in your belief that your employees didn't do anything wrong.

I do now have an attorney drafting a letter to you and we will see what the video and audio tells us as we move toward the MCAD and court.

I can't wait to see how you rationalize refusing to open an account for my friend, among other things, considering you opened an account for his Cuacasian girlfriend.

Like I said, see you in court.

-Derrick Gillenwater

--- On Sun, 5/31/09, Velella, Benjamin D wrote:

From: Velella, Benjamin D
Subject: Re: Gillenwater et al v. Citibank
To: "'derrickgillenwater@yahoo.com'"
Date: Sunday, May 31, 2009, 3:46 PM

Mr. Gillenwater:
As you know, I did call you back in response to your first message although that was before I knew that you were a claimant who had already had a lawyer contact bank officials on his behal--a contact that took place before your first call to me. If you are represented by counsel, it is inappropriate for me--as Citibank's attorney--to interact with you directly.

If your attorney is writing a letter on your behalf, that letter will be responded to after receipt..

In closing, I will tell you that Citibank's position regarding the matter that prompted you to contact me is markedly different than yours and that it is our firmly held position that no duty of any kind owed to you was breached. The details in support of that position will be provided to your counsel.

Benjamin Velella
VP and Senior Counsel
Citibank, N.A.