Alleged Racial Discrimination Within Consumer Protection Agency
Angela Martin, a senior enforcement attorney at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) filed a formal complaint alleging a “pervasive culture of intimidation and hostility within the bureau”. Shortly after filing the complaint Martin was demoted.
Within the agency, several departments are racially divided with many women and African American people who work in what is known as “the plantation.’ Advancement is severely limited for these people and Martin became the go to person to help change the situation. Numerous individuals have expressed to Martin that they’re being discriminated against but no-one has been listening. In fact, Martin was told by her boss Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Richard Cordray to have her attorneys “back down” Reading the comments below the article, especially by webnetcity, are encouraging
“Angela Martin, a lawyer in CFPB’s enforcement division, told a House Financial Services Subcommittee that there are a “trail of victims” at the agency who are afraid to speak out publicly.
Martin made a series of inflammatory allegations about work life at the bureau. For instance, she said one division in CFPB’s consumer response division that is mostly staffed by African-American employees is internally referred to as “the plantation” or “cesspool.”
‘African-Americans tell me that it’s extremely hard to leave the plantation,’ Martin said, claiming that those employees do not have the same opportunity as others to be promoted.
The CFPB refused to send officials to testify…after Martin was named a witness, arguing the hearing would involve an individual claim that deals with sensitive and personal information about employees.
Following the hearing, CFPB Director Richard Cordray struck a more contrite tone.
“I take seriously the concerns raised at today’s hearing and deeply apologize to any member of the CFPB staff who feels that they have not been heard or treated fairly,” Cordray said. “I welcome the opportunity to appear before Congress to discuss these issues fully.”
