A Staten Island sanitation official is suing New York City after he was allegedly subjected to racist epithets from co-workers when he learned he was of Middle Eastern origin, it was learned on Thursday.
Michael Femia, 31, is seeking unspecified damages after he says co-workers at the Staten Island garage in which he worked called him ‘terrorist’, ‘Taliban,’ ‘ISIS,’ ‘Osama,’ and ‘Habib’.
The allegations are detailed in a lawsuit filed in Brooklyn federal court on Tuesday, according to the New York Daily News.
Femia, who describes himself as ‘an American-born Caucasian male,’ said that he joined the Sanitation Department in 2008.
He then proved himself a reliable employee, he says, earning promotions and pay raises.
Michael Femia (above), a Staten Island sanitation official, is suing New York City after he was allegedly subjected to racist epithets from co-workers when he learned he was of Middle Eastern origin
Femia says he had ‘enjoyed a good work atmosphere’ wherever he was employed within the Department of Sanitation.
In January 2016, Femia was assigned to be a supervisor at a garage on Staten Island.
He alleges that the racist abuse began in April when he revealed to his colleagues that a DNA test showed he was 13 percent Middle Eastern.
Femia says this ignited a ‘campaign of discrimination’ that included name-calling and other insensitive remarks.
Femia, 31, is seeking unspecified damages after he says co-workers at the Staten Island garage in which he worked called him ‘terrorist’, ‘Taliban,’ ‘ISIS,’ ‘Osama,’ and ‘Habib’
When Femia complained to his superiors, he claims that ‘no formal investigation or disciplinary actions were taken’
He says workers would greet him by saying ‘the Taliban is here’ and ‘if you see something, say something’ – a reference to New York’s public safety campaign urging vigilance against possible signs of terrorism.
At one point, Femia was seen growing out a beard. In response, he alleges that co-workers asked him if he was joining ISIS.
When Femia complained to his superiors, he claims that ‘no formal investigation or disciplinary actions were taken.’
He also claims that his bosses wrote him up for ‘alleged performance issues’ as punishment for complaining.
In June of this year, Femia alleges that his colleagues used a Photoshop-like software to impose the image of turban on his head as an ISIS flag is seen in the background.
Last month, Femia says that when he put in a request for a stapler, he was told by a superior that he needed to submit a request in writing.
“No other employee was required to document and sign an explanation for why they wanted office supplies,” according to the lawsuit.
A spokesperson for the city’s Law Department told the Daily News: ‘We’ll review these allegations with the Department of Sanitation and respond accordingly.’
Femia declined to comment.