Barneys report counters profiling allegations

NEW YORK (AP) — In a review commissioned by Barneys New York, an attorney found the luxury store does not have a written or unwritten policy to profile customers based on race and didn’t initiate any police action against two black customers who said they were wrongly accused of credit card fraud, complaints that ignited a furor.

Last month, the customers separately accused Barneys of racial profiling after they said they lawfully purchased expensive items but were detained by police on suspicion of credit card fraud. Customer Trayon Christian sued Barneys, saying he was accused of fraud after using his debit card to buy a $349 Ferragamo belt in April. Kayla Phillips filed a notice saying she would sue after she was stopped by detectives outside the store when she bought a $2,500 Celine handbag in February.