HOUSTON–The plaintiff in a lawsuit against SPCO Credit Union here that alleged the CU’s website violated the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) has voluntarily dismissed the case with prejudice.
In a statement first published by the Cornerstone Credit Union League, SPCO CU CEO Tim Adams credited CCUL CEO Caroline Willard and SVP Regulatory Compliance Counsel Suzanne Yashewski, along with NAFCU President Dan Berger, for their help in fighting the case.
“It’s extremely helpful to be able to lean on others; you’re not just out there in a forest by yourself,” said Adams. “It’s nice to know you have someone behind your back. Cornerstone’s help on this was very instrumental in our positive resolution of this case."
For others in a similar situation, Adams was quoted by the Cornerstone league as encouraging others to take a hard stand. "It’s a business decision for everybody," he said. "We as credit unions have been allowing ourselves to be bullied for too long. My board said we are not settling because then we’re going to have to settle with the next guy and the next one after that. Stand strong and fight.”
The $39-million SPCO CU has approximately 3,700 members.
One More Lawsuit Pending
"We were hopeful for a positive outcome from this frivolous lawsuit against SPCO Credit Union, and I'm glad to see our combined efforts reap a dismissal," said Willard. "While unscrupulous lawyers may continue to exploit the ADA law designed to protect those with legitimate disabilities, Cornerstone will continue to vigorously oppose such predation and press Congress for clarity in the law."
“We currently have one more ADA website lawsuit outstanding against a Texas credit union,” added Yashewski. “Cornerstone and CUNA filed an amicus brief in that case and stand in support of another voluntary dismissal or a court ruling in favor the credit union.”
The new ruling continues a split in the courts on the legitimacy of the ADA claims against CU websites. As CUToday.info reported here, a Michigan Court has recently ruled a non-member still has standing to sue the credit union.