Lawsuit claims financial firm that reps Rihanna thinks singer is 'hot' because she's 'not too dark'
A marketing executive has filed a racism lawsuit against the New York-based financial management firm that represents Rihanna.
A marketing executive has filed a racism lawsuit against the New York-based financial management firm that represents Rihanna.
Robert Solomon claims that Flynn Family Office, where he used to work as the company’s marketing head, fired him for speaking up against racist and sexist remarks.Â
According to the 42-year-old, a member of upper management was heard saying the Bajan singer was “hot” because she was “not too dark,” while he and another executive discussed which Caribbean nationalities are most attractive according to skin tone.
Court papers obtained by the New York Post reveal Alan Kufeld, a partner at the firm, regularly made comments about the attractiveness of women based on the color of their skin.
On one occasion, it is alleged that Kufeld openly dissected the appearance of an office assistant, saying the worker “lost points in his eyes because she was too dark.”
When the assistant quit a few weeks later, his only response was, “F*** her.”
The company’s chief operating officer, Rick Flynn, who is also alleged to have taken part in these conversations, says the claims were without merit. “We at FFO have always championed the rights of women and minorities, particularly in the workplace,” he maintains.
The firm counsels wealthy clients on a range of matters and in addition to Rihanna has high profile clientele that includes Katie Holmes, Tory Burch and Kelly Ripa.
“It’s ironic and disturbing that an organization that sought high-profile women as clients would have such a sexist and misogynistic culture,” Solomon’s lawyer Walker Harman said in an interview.Â
