A Manhattan deli worker who allegedly stopped and frisked Forest Whitaker on Friday has been fired, the store’s management announced Tuesday.
The Oscar-winning actor was accused of shoplifting an item from Milano Market on Saturday by a “misguided” employee.
“The management of Milano Market deeply regrets the wrongful actions of our employee in stopping and frisking Forest Whitaker,” a deli representative told TMZ. “While we can not delve into the employee’s mindset, we do not believe that he was racially motivated in his actions, simply misguided.”
Anthony Galofaro, the store’s owner, even offered to “make a donation to a charity of Mr. Whitaker’s choice to rectify this wrongdoing.”
The worker apologized for his mistake but Mr. Galofaro said the man is “no longer here with us. … He doesn’t want to come here, that’s how much hurt he is. … It was a sincere mistake,” ABC News reports.
The owner said he was unsure if he would take the long-time employee back, but he ensured media that the store was taking steps to retrain workers so it never happens again.
Mr. Whitaker declined to comment on the apology.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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