Arab Groups Question Bank's Action

November 14, 2006

Author: Niraj Warikoo

Source: Detroit Free Press

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061114/NEWS05/611140361

Comerica Bank plans to terminate on Wednesday the accounts of a Muslim charity headquartered in Southfield that was raided two months ago by federal agents, according to letters the bank sent charity officials.

The move by the private bank against Life for Relief and Development concerns Arab Americans and Muslims in metro Detroit, who note that the Islamic charity has not been charged with a crime.

A vice president with Comerica Bank, Kathy Pitton, said she would not comment about the charity's accounts, but added the bank has the right to terminate any bank account with or without cause.

Federal agents raided the Life for Relief office on Sept. 18, along with the homes and offices of some of the charity's employees, hauling away documents.

The FBI would not say what agents were looking for, but charity officials have said it might be related to relief work the group did in Iraq.