Franklin Templeton fired an employee after a confrontation she had with an African American man in Central Park that was captured on video.
The video shows a white woman with an unleashed dog in a wooded area of the park calling the police.
“There is an African American man,” she said. “He is recording me and threatening myself and my dog.” The video was posted to Twitter by the man’s sister, who wrote that he is an avid birdwatcher and had asked the woman to put her dog on a leash. The man, Christian Cooper, also posted the video online.
The woman, Amy Cooper, the head of insurance investment at the company, issued an apology on CNN.
Cooper’s behavior drew a backlash on social media. After the video was posted on Monday, the firm placed her on leave. Tuesday afternoon, it announced her termination.
“Following our internal review of the incident in Central Park yesterday, we have made the decision to terminate the employee involved, effective immediately,” a spokeswoman said in a statement. “We do not tolerate racism of any kind at Franklin Templeton.”
The company didn’t name the employee.
“I’m not a racist,” Cooper told CNN. “I did not mean to harm that man in any way. I sincerely and humbly apologize to everyone, especially to that man, his family.”
She added that her “entire life is being destroyed.”
Central Park rules state that dogs must be leashed at all times in the Ramble, the area where the woman was with her dog.
Franklin Resources Inc. is the parent of Franklin Templeton.
From outstanding individuals to innovative organizations, find out who made the final shortlist for top honors at the IN awards, now in its second year.
Cresset's Susie Cranston is expecting an economic recession, but says her $65 billion RIA sees "great opportunity" to keep investing in a down market.
“There’s a big pull to alternative investments right now because of volatility of the stock market,” Kevin Gannon, CEO of Robert A. Stanger & Co., said.
Sellers shift focus: It's not about succession anymore.
Platform being adopted by independent-minded advisors who see insurance as a core pillar of their business.
RIAs face rising regulatory pressure in 2025. Forward-looking firms are responding with embedded technology, not more paperwork.
As inheritances are set to reshape client portfolios and next-gen heirs demand digital-first experiences, firms are retooling their wealth tech stacks and succession models in real time.
