A very popular Hudson Valley restaurant is accused of using racial slurs and treating their Hispanic employees unfairly.

A lawsuit was filed by the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission on behalf of workers at Antonella's Restaurant and Pizzeria. The popular Hudson Valley eatery has three locations in Wappingers Falls, Fishkill and Hyde Park.

According to a report by the Poughkeepsie Journal, the suit alleges that one of Antonella's co-owners, Angelo Dellicarpini, has been illegally treating his Hispanic employees, citing incidents that date back as far as1995 when the restaurant first opened. According to the lawsuit, Dellicarpini engaged in name-calling, racial slurs, and insisted that employees only speak in English even though it was unnecessary for their duties. The Hispanic employees also claim that they were treated unfairly when it came to using sick days and taking leave from work.

In one incident, Dellicarpini allegedly demanded that his workers only speak in English. To drive the point home, the suit says Dellicarpini waved a dollar bill in front of the Hispanic employees, saying "this is America, you must speak English."

Discrimination based on national origin is a violation of the Civil Rights Act, and according to the EEOC, the employees are owed compensation for punitive damages, back pay, losses and legal costs. The Commission is also seeking to force Antonella's to correct their employment policies and provide equal employment opportunity for its Hispanic workers.

Dellicarpini denied a request by the Poughkeepsie Journal to comment on the allegations.

 

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