(CBS DETROIT) — The lead singer of Motown's legendary Four Tops has sued a Michigan hospital for racial discrimination, claiming that he was treated like he was mentally ill and restrained after he had told staff that he was in the group. Alexander Morris, 53, went to the Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital in Warren on April 7, 2023, to receive medical treatment, according to the lawsuit. The singer was taken to the emergency room by ambulance after he had difficulty breathing and chest and was put on oxygen.
Morris has a history of cardiac disease, including stents and a defibrillator. He told a nurse and security guard that he was a member of the Four Tops and was concerned about stalkers and fans, the suit says. However, the workers didn't believe him, and a doctor ordered a psychological evaluation and, put him into a restraining jacket and removed his oxygen and his belongings.
When Morris offered to show his identification to prove he was the singer, the security guard told him to "sit his Black a** down," according to the suit. The singer told hospital staff that he was having trouble breathing and asked for his oxygen back, but they allegedly ignored him. After that, he asked for the restraint jacket to be taken off and for his belongings so he could get treatment at another hospital, but he was told he couldn't leave.
Several security guards surrounded the area to make sure he couldn't go, and during this time, he still hadn't received treatment for his heart condit.
