American Apparel Settles Racial Discrimination Lawsuit For $343K

by Annie Wazer | 6:02 pm, July 7th, 2011

Is American Apparel ever not being sued? In this week’s edition of who the clothing company has pissed off, we have Christopher Renfro, an African American man and former American Apparel employee who began working with the company in 2006 and ultimately sued in 2008 for racial discrimination. Renfro alleged that his supervisor, Sean Alonzo, repeatedly referred to him with the racial slur “nigger.” And we thought Dov Charney saying that he loves “sluts” was bad enough.

Gawker reports that Renfro, who initially sued the company for $1,000,000 in damages was awarded over $300,000, most of which will go towards paying his attorney’s fees. Once his attorney’s bill is covered, though, Renfro will receive $32,500 from the settlement. American Apparel’s explanation? Joyce Crucillo, the company’s chief litigation council (who must have one hell of a job), said:

Mr. Renfro’s discrimination claim against American Apparel was based on a single evening involving a group of co-workers having after-hour drinks on famous Beale Street, Memphis. During this single outing, one of Mr. Renfro’s co-workers sang along to rap music containing the “n” word which was playing at the various clubs the group visited that night. There was no intent to discriminate or offend Mr. Renfro.

Rap lyrics or not, it seems that American Apparel handled the situation with about as much integrity as Charney has respect for women. Barbara Figari, Renfro’s attorney, said:

Mr. Renfro complained to American Apparel about Mr. Alonzo’s conduct, and the company’s Director of Human Resources, Kristina Moreno, spoke to Mr. Alonzo in approximately July of 2007. Mr. Alonzo admitted to Ms. Moreno that he had used the word “nigger,” but American Apparel did not “discipline” Mr. Alonzo until the possibility of litigation arose in October 2007. At that time, American Apparel issued Mr. Alonzo a “final written warning” – but also gave Mr. Alonzo a raise two days later. Just weeks later, Mr. Alonzo was given an additional bonus, and he continues to work for American Apparel at the present time.

Sigh. One thing’s for certain, we won’t be applying to work at American Apparel anytime soon.

[via Gawker]

Get Styleite directly to your inbox, on Twitter, and on Facebook!

american apparel american apparel christopher renfro American Apparel Dov Charney american apparel lawsuit american apparel racial discrimination american apparel sean alonzo american apparel sued christopher renfro discrimination lawsuit dov charney racial discrimination racial slur lawsuit sean alonzo

• Best Ways To Go Nude
• Hi/Low Dressing
• Ian Zering Is Fresh Dad
• Should You Have Sex with Your Ex?

Follow Us

Tips

Style Dish

Style Sheets

more

click here for advertising opportunities