The former manager at an Eatontown pizzeria who was sued after he texted an anti-Semitic rant to an employee will attend an educational program about the Holocaust as part of the resolution to the workplace discrimination lawsuit, his lawyer told NJ Advance Media.
Francesco Scott Di Rinaldi, who was fired by the owners of Maurizio’s Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant, issued an apology to the worker, 17-year-old Nicholas Bogan, and the Jewish community. Di Rinaldi messaged Bogan in September saying Jewish people should be set on fire “like Hitler was trying to do,” according to the lawsuit filed in Monmouth County Superior Court.
“I know the words are unacceptable and hurtful, but I did not mean to hurt anyone, especially Nicholas and his family,” Di Rinaldi wrote in a letter sent to NJ Advance Media. “I’ve learned my lesson and I hope I can get a second chance from everyone.”
Di Rinaldi’s attorney, Mario Appuzo, said his client will attend a four-session program at the Center for Holocaust, Human Rights & Genocide Education at Brookdale Community College in Monmouth County. The program includes an overview of hate and anti-Semitism, a visit to the center’s permanent exhibit and the opportunity to meet with a Holocaust survivor, Appuzo said.
He declined to say whether Bogan will receive financial compensation, saying the details of the settlement are confidential. Bogan’s attorneys at the Red Bank-based McOmber & McOmber law firm did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The lawsuit alleged that Di Rinaldi sent Bogan a string of “obscene, hateful, and bizarre anti-Semitic and racist comments” when the high school student asked to have the first night of Rosh Hashanah off last year.
Screenshots of texts attached to the complaint show Di Rinaldi wrote “(Expletive) the Jewish. Put them on fire (fire emoji). Like Hitler was trying to do. He had a point."
Bogan responded with three “crying emojis" in an attempt to defuse the situation, but Di Rinaldi continued the rant by saying he “can’t stand” Jewish people or “Indians as well,” and that both groups “don’t belong in America," according to the suit.
The pizzeria’s owners, the Schianodicola family, fired Di Rinaldi after they became aware of the lawsuit and said they do not condone his “inexcusable and completely distasteful” actions.
In his apology letter, Di Rinaldi said he was under pressure that day because multiple employees called out of work.
“We all have those stressful days in our lives when we lose control of what we say or think. All I can say is that I am ashamed of what I said. I can again assure you it’s not who I am,” Di Rinaldi wrote.
Avalon Zoppo may be reached at azoppo2@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AvalonZoppo. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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