A New York City taxi driver was fined $25,000 for refusing to pick up a black woman and her family and picking up two white women moments after, according to DNAinfo New York.
Judge Raymond Kramer ruled that Baqir Raza, the cab driver, must pay $10,000 to Cynthia Jordan, the 57-year-old vice president of a stock transfer firm, along with a $15,000 fine.
Jordan and her two daughters were looking for a cab outside of the Macy's near Penn Station on their way to a birthday party in October 2013, when Jordan's daughter spotted Raza's cab pulling over to let a passenger out.
When Jordan and her family tried to hail the cab, which had the on-duty light on, Raza locked his doors and told Jordan he was taking a break. Then, according to Judge Kramer's decision, Raza drove about 25 feet and picked up two white women down the street.
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Jordan recalled that Raza responded to her threat with, "Yeah, go ahead and report me."
She did, filing a complain with the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission, and the Commission on Human Rights. Since Judge Kramer filed his decision, the commission must now decide whether or not to approve his ruling.
Jordan, who said she faces this kind of discrimination routinely, said she hopes the fine will send a message to Raza and New York City taxi drivers.
"You don't have impunity to do whatever you do," she told DNAinfo. "If you drive a cab, then drive a cab and pick up all fares. That's what you're supposed to do."
[via DNAinfo NY]
