March 22, 2024. Defendant Navy Federal Credit Union replied to plaintiffs’ consolidated complaint on Thursday, seeking dismissal of the important civil rights lawsuit.
Rather than taking responsibility for its discriminatory lending practices, Navy Federal has instead doubled down on its unlawful practices. In its motion, Navy Federal does not deny that it fails to lend to Black and Brown Americans at nearly twice the rate of white Americans but claims that its failure is legally permissible based on a number of technicalities.
“Navy Federal is wrong on the law. Navy Federal is wrong on the facts. And Navy Federal is on the wrong side of this issue. Veterans and the military community deserve better from the nation’s largest credit union. Our clients will be opposing Navy Federal’s request for dismissal and look forward to having their day in court,” said Wes Griffith, one of the attorneys representing plaintiffs and the putative class in the civil rights action.
The plaintiffs, who are Black and Latino borrowers, allege that Navy Federal Credit Union has engaged in discriminatory practices by denying them equal access to home loans compared to white borrowers. Plaintiffs’ claims are further details in their Consolidated Class Action Complaint.
The plaintiffs are represented by court appointed Co-Lead Counsel Hassan Zavareei of Tycko & Zavareei LLP, Adam J. Levitt of DiCello Levitt LLP, Ben Crump of Ben Crump Law PLLC. The TZ team also includes attorneys Wes Griffith, Peter Silva, Andrea R. Gold, Shana Khader, Cort Carlson, and paralegal Emma Bass.