By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-09-25 20:41:20 | Updated at 2024-10-02 08:16:48
6 days ago
A chain of LA rehab clinic have been accused of employing Nazi sympathizers who racially abused staff and openly used 'white power' signs.
Seven former and current staff members of the Executive Recovery Group Inc (ERG) have accused staff at the facility of racist abuse and harassment in a lawsuit.
The ERG owns multiple facilities across the state, with the plaintiffs including nurses, aides, and technicians who say they were subjected to months of discrimination.
The complaint, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleges that a Hispanic staff member was replaced with a known associate of a White nationalist gang.
It is said that the company hired an Erin Thorley as an executive director of the facility, who 'almost immediately' fired two Hispanic managers from the branch.
Seven former and current staff members of the Executive Recovery Group Inc, seen here, have accused staff at the facility of racist abuse and harassment in a lawsuit
Thorley then hired Penny Beal and Corey Hurst to fill their position, with the suit claiming Thorley was friends with both of them.
It is alleged that Thorley was aware that Hurst had been involved with a White nationalist group which was referred to as 'Public Enemy Number One'.
The suit alleges that the group was referred to by several other names including 'P9', 'Nazi Low Riders', and 'Skinheads'.
According to the Anti Defamation League, Public Enemy Number 1 is the large White supremacist gang in California.
According to the suit, Hurst was heavily tattooed in swastikas and other White supremacy symbols which included a swastika on his face.
The plaintiffs allege that the ERG went on to hire other members affiliated with the group, and that these employees were promoted quicker than other non-white employees.
Plaintiff Michael Zamarron, a gay man, also claims in the suit that program director Jay Lepito singled him out due to his sexuality.
Zamarron claims that Lepito 'wanted to make it clear that he though Zamarron's homosexuality would make residents uncomfortable'.
Lepito is said to have told Zamarron that it was inappropriate for him to work with residents due to him being gay.
Employee David Karon, who is Jewish, claims he also overheard staffers saying the owners of the company were 'cheap and stingy', because 'they're Jews'.
The suit adds that Karon was told by a client that he knew Lepito from outside of the ERG and was involved in drug dealing, and credit card fraud as well as being part of a White nationalist group.
According to Karon, there was also racist drawings and other visuals in the facility which included the Gadson Flag and a drawing of the 'Ok' hand sign.
The hand gesture has been adopted by White supremacists after 4chan users promoted it as a representation of the letters 'wp', or white power. It has since been listed as a symbol of hate by the Anti-Defamation League.
Karon resigned from the company after he was passed over for promotions , overhearing racist comments, and making several complaints to HR, the suit says.
After complaining about the racist drawings that had been left on a bulletin board, Karon was told his complaints would be investigated.
According to the complaint, a week after he informed HR he noticed the drawings hadn't been taken down and resigned.
The lawsuit is seeking compensation but an actual dollar amount has not been specified.
Attorney Cameron Dowlatshahi said: 'It is hard to believe that in 2024 a workplace can be filled with Nazi sympathizers.
'Yet, this is exactly the workplace my clients had to endure day-in and day-out. My clients are good people, who simply wanted to do their jobs and help people in need.
'Instead, their employer blatantly disregarded their well-being and subjected them to an incredibly toxic environment.
'We will do everything we can to hold this company, its affiliates, and its owners accountable.'
DailyMail.com has attempted to contact ERG for comment on the suit.
