Peter Imbert, the former Republican mayor of Amityville, Long Island, New York,, faces allegations of pressuring employees to use drugs and engage in racist behavior.
The accusations come from current employee Ralph Guarino in a lawsuit filed with the New York State Division of Human Rights.
According to The Daily Beast, Guarino alleges in the lawsuit that Imbert, the head of RCI Industries, told him at one point that “whites should stay with whites and Blacks should stay with Blacks.”
According to The New York Post, Guarino’s mother, Irene, a vice president at the company, also filed a verified complaint against Imbert for retaliation after she complained about the alleged mistreatment of her son by Imbert.
Imbert did not respond to multiple requests for comment from the New York Post. Guarino did tell the newspaper that Imbert cultivated an atmosphere of fear. According to Guarino’s lawsuit, Imbert maintained a “secret room” in his house, stored with assault weapons such as AK-47 and AR-15 assault rifles.
“For the last 10 years, I’ve constantly been on edge around him, just ready for him to snap,” Guarino said. “For two years, every day, I…did anything he wanted. I fear the guy. He once told me he has ‘No one to answer to but God.’”
Imbert also allegedly mentioned his fizzling sex life with his wife to Guarino and insinuated that his father didn’t like his wife because “she wouldn’t play along” when his father would grab her rear end.
Both Ralph and Irene Guarino are still employed by RCI Industries. Ralph Guarino’s lawsuit against Imbert seeks unspecified damages.
David H. Rosenberg, a lawyer for the pair, told the New York Post that the work environment created by Imbert was hostile. “I am proud of my clients for having the courage and bravery to prosecute these discrimination and retaliation claims,” he added.
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