SAN FRANCISCO, California (UPDATED) - A Filipino-American group is crying foul over derogatory statements against Filipinos allegedly made by former American Apparel CEO and founder, Dov Charney.

American Apparel recently filed court documents that detailed evidence of why they fired Charney last year.

This was in response to a defamation lawsuit Charney brought against American Apparel last month.

American Apparel’s internal investigation found that Charney told some Filipino workers that they were "Filipino pigs…with your faces in the trough."

He also reportedly told his Filipino staff he would be their 'Ferdinand Marcos' and he will tell them what to do.

The internal investigation found that he not only violated the company’s anti-discrimination policies, he was also sued for sexually harassing his employees.

American Apparel has not issued a statement beyond the recent court filing.

In reaction to these discriminating statements allegedly made by Charney, the San Francisco-based Westbay Pilipino Multi-Service Center is considering a class action suit against him and American Apparel.

The group said derogatory statements were allegedly made by Charney while he was working for the company.

"If Filipinos allow attacks like this, racial profiling attacks, to go unanswered, then it’s open season on other Filipino workers. So if we set the stage here and say there will be consequences to what you said about Filipinos, then that’s a shout across the board to other employers," said Rodel Rodis, legal counsel for West Bay Pilipino Multi-Service Center.

They are also calling on all Filipinos to boycott American Apparel products and requesting that the heads of the company meet with them to discuss ethical practices.

If American Apparel does not meet with them, the group said it is prepared to file a lawsuit on behalf of all former and current Filipino employees of American Apparel who were subjected to this discrimination.

"You cannot continue now without consulting our community on how to do your best practices. We need input. This is one of the ways that you can make amends. So, come here to San Francisco. We’ll meet you," West Bay Executive Director Vivian Zalvidea Araullo said.

Sources said American Apparel has reached out to West Bay and discussions are ongoing.



The company, in a statement, said it respects its employees.



“Respect for our employees is a core principle of American Apparel under Paula Schneider’s leadership. This is clear from proactive measures we have taken, including the adoption of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which reflects our efforts to ensure that American Apparel’s workplaces are free from harassment, bullying, and intimidation, and which promotes fair treatment of employees. American Apparel welcomes the opportunity to discuss these initiatives with the West Bay Pilipino Multi-Service Center,” American Apparel added.

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