Probable Cause Of Race/Color Discrimination Against Baldor Specialty Foods
March 11, 2025
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On March 11, 2025, the Law Office of David H. Rosenberg, P.C. filed a Verified Complaint of race/color discrimination and retaliation with the New York State Division of Human Rights on behalf of its black client against Respondents, Pete’s Deer Park Barber Shop Inc. (“Company”), white male owner Peter B. Caliendo Sr. (“Caliendo”), and his white female sister Geralyn DiNardo Vizzari (“Vizzari’).
As alleged in the Verified Complaint, Complainant, a black male, commenced employment as a barber at the Company located at 334 Everhard Street, Dix Hills, New York, 11746, and typically reported to work at 845 Long Island Avenue, Deer Park, New York, 11720 (“Premises”) where Vizzari was his supervisor.
According to the Verified Complaint, Complainant was subjected to a hostile work environment on account of race/color. To this point, Vizzari would typically come to the Premises and say to Complainant words such as, “Boy, it’s dirty in here, why don’t you clean up,” and “It’s so dirty in here boy, clean up.” In opposition to the treatment, Complainant would typically say things like “But I am a barber, and you have a cleaning crew that takes care of that” or “The other barbers aren’t asked to clean, why do you ask me to when we have a cleaning crew that comes in here?”
As alleged in the Verified Complaint, Vizzari asked co-worker Paula (last name unknown, white female) on September 7, 2023, in reference to Complainant, “Would you take someone like him home to your parents?” Complainant opposed the treatment by trying to change the topic of conversation.
According to the verified complaint, on October 7, 2023, Vizzari told Complainant, “It looks dirty in here, why don’t you clean up,” to which Complainant said generally, “Don’t we have a cleaning crew that routinely comes in here though? I am just the barber.” Vizzari responded, “Well, can you just do it anyway?”
As alleged in the Verified Complaint, Vizzari told Complainant on November 11, 2023, “Tidy up the shop and take out the trash before you leave.” On January 9, 2024, Vizzari told Complainant to “Clean up all the mirrors and take down all the Christmas decorations.”
As also alleged in the Verified Complaint, Paula told Complainant on April 2, 2024, that Vizzari told her, Paula, that Complainant “Was always late or doesn’t show up,” even though Complainant had shown up to work and was typically on time when doing so.
According to the Verified Complaint, on September 7, 2024, Caliendo refused to have his hair cut by Complainant on account of his skin color. Instead, Caliendo waited behind 6 customers at his own store so that his hair would only be cut by one of his white barbers.
As alleged in the Verified Complaint, Vizarri said to Complainant generally on September 23, 2024, “A lot of the issues in the country currently are from Obama messing things up in office, and now Trump has to clean up a lot of Obama’s messes.” Vizarri then turned to Complainant and ordered him to “sweep up the floor back there.”
According to the Verified Complaint, on October 8, 2024, Complainant reported to Vizarri that he had discovered several Company customers had paid with fake five-dollar bills. In response, Vizarri seemed to accuse the Complainant of complicity, saying words to the effect of, “Why didn’t you try to get rid of those customers?” Other non-black employees and those who did not oppose discriminatory practices were not treated this way.
As alleged in the Verified Complaint, Caliendo refused to have his hair cut by Complainant on November 19, 2024, and instead chose Kathy (last name unknown, white female), a barber with vision impairment due to recent eye surgery.
According to the Verified Complaint, on or around December 24, 2024, the white employees were handed gift cards with holiday greetings from Vizarri. Complainant’s gift card was not handed to him, nor did Vizarri provide any holiday greetings. Instead, Vizarri unceremoniously left the gift card in Complainant’s open barber drawer. Other non-black employees and those who did not oppose discriminatory practices were not treated this way.
As alleged in the Verified Complaint, co-worker Kim (last name unknown, white female barber) told Complainant on or around January 4, 2025, that Vizarri wanted to fire him. When asked why, Kim responded:
“Because you call in sick a lot, but please do not get me involved with anything to say, but the whole prejudice thing, she definitely isn’t. Geralyn gave me a gift card because she was planning on firing me around Christmas, but then Kathy convinced her to keep me. Geralyn had to get the gift card back from Kim before New Year’s Eve so she could give it to me.”
Other non-black employees and those who did not oppose discriminatory practices were not treated this way.
According to the Verified Complaint, Vizarri terminated Complainant on account of his race/color and in retaliation on January 8, 2025, saying, “You know what, Daren? Time for you to collect your stuff and look for another job.”
As alleged in the Verified Complaint, the Firm is seeking all available damages under the relevant statutes, including those covering compensatory, emotional, and punitive damages, together with maximum civil penalties, fines, and a reinstatement order from New York State.
If you or someone you know is suffering at work, contact the Firm at (516) 741-0300.
The information and allegations cited to herein comes directly from publicly filed documentation and are meant as a means of attorney advertising.
