verbal and physical harassment he endured while employed at the restaurant.Abenante claims in the suit that restaurant employees taunted him over his sexual orientation, slapping his buttocks and referring to him using homophobic slurs.
Abenante further claims he complained multiple times about his treatment at the hands of co-workers, but Branchinelli never took action.
Things came to a head in November 2019 when Abenante wore a pair of black Converse sneakers to work. That, according to the former waiter, triggered a violent altercation with his boss.The sight of the sneakers so enraged Branchinelli that he shouted “find another f*cking job,” and ordered Abenante to go buy another pair of shoes.