BROOKLYN (CN) - Racist supervisors at a homeless charity showed black employees photos of murdered black men and children hung from trees, four men claims in a federal discrimination complaint.
Shawn Robinson, Derrick Riddles, Darius Rutherford and Ronald Johnson claim that supervisors at SCO Family of Services called them "black monkey," "nigger," and "boy," showed them photos of black people being hung from trees, pictures of black children being raped by white men and rubbed them with a dildo before ultimately firing them because of their race.
Robinson, a driver, claims that the company's office manager, defendant Elizabeth Rodriguez, demanded that he get her a cup of coffee; he was then transferred to the maintenance department as punishment for not doing what she asked.
Defendant Peter Rousses, a former member of the New York Police Department and Robinson's new supervisor in the maintenance department, then called Robinson "boy," and told racist jokes, including, "Two black guys are in a car, who is driving? Answer: The Cops," according to the lawsuit.
When Robinson complained, he says, Rousses showed him more pictures of black men being hung from trees.
When he complained to supervisors, he says he was told to "forget about what happened in the past."
Plaintiff Riddles claims Rousses called him a "black monkey" on several occasions, and told him to "Stop acting like a bitch."
The plaintiffs claim that defendant Arthur Zanko installed cameras in the room where black employees changed their clothes to spy on them.
Plaintiff Rutherford claims that Robinson rubbed him with a dildo called him a "faggot" and threatened to shoot him in the head.
Plaintiff Johnson claims Rousses showed him pictures of black women being raped and murdered by white men, and pictures of black children being hung from trees.
All plaintiffs say they were eventually fired because of their race.
They seek punitive damages.
They are represented by Laurie E. Morrison, of Manhattan.
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