Versace Lawsuit Alleges Company Uses Secret Code for Black Customers

Former employee claims that he was told to say “D410” whenever a black person enters store

Versace
Versace

A former Versace employee has claimed the company uses a secret “code” to alert employees when black customers enter the store, according to an unfair business practices lawsuit filed against the luxury fashion company.

Plaintiff Christopher Sampiro, who worked at the Versace outlet store in Pleasanton, California, claims in court documents obtained by TheWrap that he was told “to say ‘D410’ in a casual manner when a black person entered the store.”

Sampiro said in the lawsuit that the manager training him explained the “code is used to alert co-workers that ‘a black person is in the store.’”

Sampiro, who identifies himself as one-quarter African American in the lawsuit, said he responded, “You know that I’m African American?” Sampiro claimed in the court documents that the store’s management proceeded to treat him differently, as a result, and did not give “legitimate” training. He was fired after working two weeks in September, allegedly because he didn’t “understand luxury” and didn’t “know the luxury life.”

Versace did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.

The suit demands a jury trial and claims the high-end fashion brand failed to compensate for all hours worked, failed to provide meal and break periods, did not maintain accurate records, failed to furnish wage statements and failed to prevent and investigate harassment claims. It suit also accuses Versace of wrongful termination and race discrimination.

Versace denied Sampiro’s allegations and asked a judge to dismiss the case, citing court documents from Alameda County Superior Court.

Sampiro is seeking costs incurred by herein and attorney’s fees, compensatory damages, compensation for all hours worked, general damages, special damages according to proof, punitive damages and restitution for all money due to the plaintiff for unlawful business practices and injunctive relief.

Meanwhile, the third season of FX’s “American Crime Story” will tackle the 1997 murder of designer Gianni Versace.

Comments