Black Chef Sues Wells Fargo After Bank Refuses to Cash His $20K IRS Check

Chef Shawn Davis, prominent as “Chef Big Shake” following his 2011 “Shark Tank” appearance, has initiated legal action against Wells Fargo Bank. He claims that employees at their Las Vegas branch wrongfully accused him of attempting to cash a counterfeit check and roughly instructed him to vacate the premises. During a family visit on July 11, Davis sought to open a business account to cash a valid $20,403 U.S. Treasury check intended for his business. After a 30-minute consultation with advisor David Parra, the situation drastically shifted. Parra returned from a private discussion, labeled the check “fake,” and accused Davis of fraud, failing to seek verification to confirm its authenticity.Davis, requesting to engage with branch manager Georgia Bell, faced further dismissiveness. She reportedly insisted the check was fraudulent and pressured him to leave, igniting feelings of humiliation and bias rooted in racial assumptions. Seeking justice, Davis now insists on a jury trial with potential damages exceeding $50,000 for the emotional trauma he endured. (Photo: Chef Shawn Davis Instagram)