Amelia Colvin v. Texas Dow Employees Credit Union

**What Happened** Amelia Colvin worked for Texas Dow Employees Credit Union and had credit card debt and a line of credit with her employer totaling $37,039.40. When Colvin failed to pay back this money, the credit union sued her for breach of contract to recover the unpaid debt, plus interest and attorney's fees. **What the Court Decided** The trial court ruled in favor of Texas Dow Employees Credit Union, finding that Colvin had indeed broken her contract by not paying back the money she owed. The court ordered her to pay the full amount of $37,039.40 plus additional costs. When Colvin appealed, the higher court largely upheld this decision, though they made some minor procedural adjustments. **Why This Matters for Workers** This case shows that when employees borrow money from their employers through credit cards or lines of credit, they're entering into binding legal contracts. If workers can't repay these debts, their employers can sue them just like any other creditor would. Employees should carefully consider the risks before borrowing money from their workplace, as defaulting could lead to lawsuits and significant financial consequences beyond just losing their job.