Ryan Coogler Falsely Accused Of Trying To Rob Bank Of America, Issues Statement: Report

BY Erika Marie 6.8K Views
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Ryan Coogler
The director of "Black Panther" wrote a note to the teller, asking for her to count his money in private, but she told her boss he was trying to rob them.

He may have brought us one of the greatest Marvel film adaptions to date, but that didn't stop Ryan Coogler from ending up in handcuffs over a false accusation. The director of Black Panther reportedly endured a harrowing experience in Atlanta that is said to have taken place back in January. Coogler has been hard at work in the ATL filming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the sequel to the blockbuster hit starring the late-great Chadwick Boseman, and while in the city, Coogler visited a local Bank of America.

Like millions of others, Coogler wanted to make a transaction at the bank. In a video, he is seen wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a mask covering his nose and mouth for health safety. He reportedly approached the teller with a withdrawal slip along with a note attached that read: “I would like to withdraw $12,000 cash from my checking account. Please do the money count somewhere else. I’d like to be discreet.”

Han Myung-Gu / Stringer / Getty Images

It isn't uncommon as many customers don't want people to know how much money they have or cash they will hold on their person. Instead of reading the note, the teller believed that the bank was being robbed. She told her boss and they called the police, and when authorities arrived at the scene, they immediately detained Coogler and two people he was with who were reportedly waiting for him outside of the bank.

Variety reported:

Coogler’s colleagues were detained in the back of a police vehicle, and Coogler was handcuffed and taken out of the bank by two of the officers. After verifying Coogler’s identity and his Bank of America account, the officers released him and his colleagues.

“We deeply regret that this incident occurred. It never should have happened and we have apologized to Mr. Coogler," Bank of America said in a statement. In his own reaction to the incident, Coogler added, "This situation should never have happened. However, Bank of America worked with me and addressed it to my satisfaction and we have moved on."

Check out a video of the incident below.


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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.