An investment company that hired a white woman who went viral after calling the police to a black man in Central Park on Monday had put her on administrative leave.
“We take this matter very seriously, and we do not condone racism in any form,” said a statement from Franklin Templeton.
“While we were in the process of investigating the situation, the employees involved were given administrative leave.”
The woman in the video was identified in the report as Amy Cooper. A screenshot of his LinkedIn account shared on Twitter identifies him as the head of insurance investment solutions at Franklin Templeton.
Cooper later apologized for the incident in a telephone interview with NBC New York.
“I sincerely and humbly apologize to everyone, especially to the man, his family,” he told the network. “That is unacceptable and I humbly and fully apologize to everyone who saw the video, everyone who was offended … everyone who considered me in a lower light and I understand why they did it.”
The man who could be heard in the video, Christian Cooper, said he asked Amy to tie the dog, and when he didn’t, he offered the dog a gift.
“The only way they can keep dogs from eating food is to tie it up,” he told NBC. “At some point, he decided I would play a racing card, I think.”
Amy told the network that she felt threatened because she did not know what made the dog.
Social media users have also accused Amy of cruelty to animals, as seen in an interesting video and dragging a dog that is struggling with her neck.
Later Monday, Amy allegedly returned her adopted dog to a local animal shelter.
“As of tonight, the owner has voluntarily handed over the dog to save us while the matter is being dealt with,” Angels Spaniel Rescue, Angel Abandoned in a statement.
“The dog is now in the care of our savior and he is safe and in good health,” the group said.
The shelter also did not openly identify the woman or link her to the Central Park incident. Request comments from the group were not immediately returned.
Amy Cooper does not return phone calls from The Post.
