Mercer Times

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division on Civil Rights (DCR) have taken enforcement action against Advance Funding Partners/Same Day Funding, a New Jersey business, for alleged violations of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD). The DCR issued a Finding of Probable Cause, indicating that the company engaged in unlawful lending and employment discrimination.

The investigation by DCR revealed that Advance Funding had a policy of refusing loans to prospective clients based on race, national origin, and nationality. According to DCR's findings, Joseph Jurasic, the owner of Advance Funding, instructed sales staff not to engage with "Chinese, African, and Spanish" clients. Audio recordings sent by Jurasic included directives such as “no Chinese, no Africans, no Spanish,” advising employees not to "waste your time with the Chinese, with the Africans, and Spanish."

Additionally, DCR found evidence of retaliation against an employee who reported these practices. After filing a complaint with DCR in February 2023 regarding discriminatory actions by Advance Funding, the employee received a threatening voice message from Jurasic and subsequently resigned.

The investigation also uncovered a hostile work environment at Advance Funding. Employees were subjected to racist memes and messages shared via WhatsApp by Jurasic and others. At least one employee experienced severe harassment following their discrimination complaint.

Attorney General Platkin stated: “No one should ever be denied a loan based on their race or national origin. No one should ever be subject to retaliation for filing a discrimination complaint. And no one should ever be subject to a hostile work environment based on race or national origin.”

The case originated from an employee's verified complaint filed with DCR while working at Advance Funding's Ocean, New Jersey location. Despite withdrawing his complaint after feeling threatened by Jurasic's response, the investigation continued under Sundeep Iyer, Director of DCR.

During its inquiry, DCR reviewed communications within an employee group chat where discriminatory instructions were reiterated. Messages from Victor Milano further supported claims of discriminatory practices within the company.

Jurasic admitted to avoiding loans to certain groups including Armenians and non-U.S. citizens who did not speak English well—actions supporting suspicions of racial and national origin discrimination.

DCR issued subpoenas for information on denied loan applicants but was informed that Advance Funding ceased operations in September 2024 and data had been destroyed.

Evidence suggests violations under LAD through denial of services based on race or nationality; retaliatory actions against an employee; constructive discharge due to intolerable work conditions; and maintaining a hostile workplace environment.

Jurasic may face personal liability for aiding these violations while Milano could also be held accountable for aiding in service denial and fostering hostility at work.

A Finding of Probable Cause indicates sufficient evidence exists for reasonable suspicion of LAD breaches but is not final adjudication. If conciliation fails post-Finding issuance, prosecution may proceed through administrative or court channels.

For more details or complaints regarding civil rights violations in New Jersey employment or public accommodations contexts visit [website link].