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NY Deli Worker: Employer Demanded I Have an Abortion to Keep My Job

Woman Claims Employer Forced Her to Have an Abortion | Catherine Rizzo

Catherine Rizzo (Image Credit: Facebook via Mail Online)

A wildly unusual story is making its way out of Long Island, New York, where a woman is claiming she was told that if she didn’t abort her baby, she would lose her job.

According to a federal lawsuit, the woman, 25-year-old Catherine Rizzo, was given this bizarre ultimatum when she was pregnant with her third child. Rizzo, who worked at Cooky’s Deli in Bohemia, claims that the situation unfolded earlier this year.

In an interview with the New York Post, the single mother claimed that the owner’s daughter pulled her aside and told her that the abortion would be necessary to keep her job. “It was very, very clear,” Rizzo said.

Here’s where the situation gets a bit murky. Rizzo proclaims that she already had two children at home and that she was desperately in need of the job at the deli counter, which gave her $400 to $500 per week. Because she couldn’t afford to lose her employment, she says she was forced to terminate the pregnancy.

“As a direct result of this serious threat, approximately one week later, [I] was forced to terminate [my] pregnancy,” reads Rizzo’s lawsuit, which was filed on Dec. 19 in Brooklyn federal court. As a result of this startling claim, the young woman is seeking unspecified damages.

In addition to the alleged forced abortion, she also claims that she was harassed by a fellow co-worker. While she says that she complained to management, she alleges that nothing was done to curb the incidents. “I stayed there because I needed my job, and I got the blunt end of the stick. I was trying to deal with it on my own,” she explained.

Woman Claims Employer Forced Her to Have an Abortion | Catherine Rizzo

Following the abortion, Rizzo was subsequently fired in August. Then, she and her children were evicted from their apartment. On the bright side, she was able to secure a new job and a new home. But she claims Cooky’s Deli employees began showing up and photographing her at work.

Martin Marsilio, the 69-year-old owner of the deli, denies the abortion allegation and, according to the Post, has dubbed the claim “a total lie” and “fiction.” Additionally, her former boss claims she was fired because she was chronically late and that she never filed complaints over harassment.

“We have had many female employees here that have gotten pregnant, had their children, took time off and came back to work,” Marsilio said.

As far as the charge that he has followed Rizzo to her new job, Marsilio isn’t ashamed to confirm. But rather than simply attempting to stalk Rizzo, he says he was trying to prove to the state’s unemployment office that she was working off the books.

(H/T: New York Post)

Comments (85)

1 2
  • momsense
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:13am

    If this is true, it’s a shade of things to come—-just put it in the context of the environmental terrorists—-the less people, the better the environment. How long before it becomes government policy?

    Report Post »  
    • Mousey
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:36am

      @ MOMSENSE
      are you joking me?
      do you think before you type?
      what twaddle

      Report Post » Mousey  
    • Sirfoldallot
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:36am

      Yes , food service now is a high paying job in America & u need a college ed. So kill a un born to protect this high paying job is how u can keep ur job.

      Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
    • JRook
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 12:28pm

      A non story story stretched because it contains the word term abortion. She already had 2 kids at home. I’d say it was more about being late and a reprisal for getting fired.

      Report Post »  
    • certified ethical hacker
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:36pm

      Well guess what the less people does mean the better the environment, the environment can only sustain so many(but this is not what the article is about) and my opinion is at some point governments will have to step in and control how many children they support . Like China, because guess what otherwise stupid uneducated people around the world are going to keep breeding like rats with no care about their fellow humans. They are just like animals breed and overpopulate until they die off of diseases all at the same time demanding more of everything from the taxpayer

      Report Post »  
    • certified ethical hacker
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:47pm

      IT is really sad that so many of us have been condition to only feel sorry for the poor children, and not any contempt to the hoe hoes bringing them in the world to live this degraded life. If we spent as much time conditioning people to do the right thing and not breed like animals to overpopulate the earth then we would be better off. Trash like this will always want more kids to help drain the taxpayers. That is why you have groups that monitor conditions in the states and the world otherwise we have (we already have) poisoned rivers and lakes etc).

      Report Post »  
    • Captain Crunch
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 5:56pm

      I’m sorry, but I don’t believe her, atliest not with the amount of information given. She needs some kind of witnesses to her claim, or atliest someone who she spoke to about this before the abortion who can verify that she sought help and counsel. I have to side with the business. Additionally, it’s hard to believe, because all she had to do was contact the state Labor Relations Board. They would have had a field day investigating the deli. If she is telling the truth, it’s a reflection on her character having valued a BS job over the life of a child. She obviously had little or no problem finding another job.

      Report Post »  
    • flatdaddio
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 8:42pm

      I think the hole thing is a load of crap……I don’t believe her…

      Report Post »  
    • beebacksoon
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:27pm

      Does “Death Panel” sound familiar?

      Report Post »  
  • Hickory
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:09am

    Sounds real fishy to me. No evidence yet a lot of noise. Hmmmm, if she was not a minority, there would be no story.

    Report Post » Hickory  
    • beebacksoon
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:27pm

      Just what I was thinking, Hickory1

      Report Post »  
    • unknown12
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 9:34pm

      shes not a minority..shes a white girl who opens her legs and cant take responsibility for her poor children..and obviously took the easy way out this time by getting an abortion and pointing the finger..

      Report Post »  
  • Mrs. Bowers
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:07am

    Where is Dad#1? Dad#2? And Dad#3? I’m sorry, but it sounds like she’s looking for something for nothing. A lot of people who make continual bad choices like playing the victim card to absolve them of any responsibility.

    Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 5:06pm

      Obviously you don’t like democrat voters. Racist!!!! HeHeHeHeHe!!!!

      Report Post »  
  • ddajs
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:04am

    It appears to me that the majority of post assume that this women is lying. Why, do you assume that the company can do nothing wrong. It is not hard to for me to beleave that the company would force this woman under the penality of losing her job to abort, I once knew a company plant manager that stated at a meeting that he preferred machines over humans because they do not have babies. To bad his mother was not a machine. Why is such a stretch to beleave this artical?

    Report Post »  
    • certified ethical hacker
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:54pm

      Probably because most people have seen this type of thing from experience over and over. Most of the posters do not have full knowledge of the incident. However most of us has seen this type of thing play out over and over again. NO manager or owner with any common sense or experience is gonna demand someone get an abortion (it would cost them their job) it is just more believable that she is lying about the whole thing. I know I have said this before but even if you are a person that loves children then you should only have what you can afford. IF you do not believe in contraceptives then don’t have sex out of wedlock either( how could you believe in one and not the other) it is sad that we allow hoe hoes like this to overpopulate the earth anyway

      Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 5:03pm

      DDAJS:
      What was the name of the company?
      What was the plant managers name?
      Do you work for MSNBC ?

      Report Post »  
    • ddajs
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 1:46pm

      Chips: I cannot tell you the name of the company, or the name of the manager. I still work for this company, reprisals you know. Unions are not the only people you have to watch out for. A company can ruin you for life. This incident did happen. As far as working for MSNBC, I have filtered out that channel on our TV’s at home, Can’t stand to watch all those lairs. Have a good day.

      Report Post »  
    • deeberj
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 3:36pm

      I believe it is possible you know someone in a company who said something so stupid. I know some people think that way.

      But think about it. Being told you‘ll lose your job if you don’t give your boss a BJ or get an abortion or whatever doesn’t mean you are forced to do it. It means you chose to keep your job and lose your soul. She still had a choice. It may not have been the easier way, but who said life is easy?

      Report Post » deeberj  
  • term limits for congress
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:01am

    She filed the lawsuit for shock value. They’ll reach a “settlement” out of court. She’ll buy an Escalade and get another tattoo.

    If Baby Daddy was smart, he’d get a piece of the settlement pie, too.

    Report Post »  
    • schroeder123
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:08am

      Ha ! Yep ! Right on…………………….

      Report Post » schroeder123  
    • LOUDandCLEAR
      Posted on March 26, 2012 at 2:47pm

      Forget Term limits!!! Let’s start over! Texas is the new state capital pre 1913 Constitution as our Rule of Law! .Any and all laws, institutions, mandates, regulations and excutive orders that were created after 1912 are dissolved. Convicited Murderers and Rapist will be given one week after conviction to repent and then be hanged, shot or stoned, the choice is theirs. Politician that take the oath to protect the Constitution and then vote for or place legislation in a bill that is in opposition to it for any reason will be shot for treason…there will be a public drawing for a qualified shooter! Come one come all, let us burn into the minds of those who would entertaing the idea of underminding our freedom, a lasting impression of that consequence! GBTV is the new Global News Network. Insider trading is going to be legal! That ‘s right, LEGAL FOR ALL! The only reason they are making it illegal now is so good, honest people wont do it! Start with the basics folks and the rest will take care of itself. Love, Honor, Faith, Charity and Prosperity with God, Freedom and the Guns to protect it.

      Report Post »  
  • UlyssesP
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:40am

    I just glanced at her photo and I see those lyin’ eyes.
    Typical.

    Report Post » UlyssesP  
  • C. Schwehr
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:39am

    Makes me wonder about the rest of the story (thank you Paul Harvey R.I.P.)….How many times before has she aborted and who is the poor SOB who is her current employer?

    Report Post »  
  • 4xeverything
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:36am

    Shouldn’t the title of the article go more like this:

    ANOTHER UNEMPLOYMENT SCAM WITH A TWIST

    Report Post » 4xeverything  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:35am

    Can i get a pickle spear and a bag of chips with that…..

    Report Post »  
  • NOBALONEY
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:33am

    Abortion is a job requirement! We’re all going to hell!!

    Report Post » NOBALONEY  
  • bigfatslob
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:16am

    This walking-welfare cheating-lawsuit waiting to happen should keep her legs closed and get married.

    Report Post » bigfatslob  
  • qzak491
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:15am

    THOUGHT

    The father is the owner of the store, that should add a new kink in the story. Since the daughter of the owner is the one that told her this, the owner is married or was. The game is afoot Watson.

    Report Post »  
    • smackdown33
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:28am

      Makes no difference, unless she was raped.

      Report Post »  
    • qzak491
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:41am

      If the father was the store owner and the daughter was the one telling her to abort, maybe the daughter didn’t want another kid to divide any inheritance in the future or mess up the family line.

      Report Post »  
  • FreeUsAll
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:09am

    How did her employer “force” her to have an abortion? Did he put a gun to her head? Where is the personal responsibility? I am pro-choice, but it sounds to me like she is deflecting the blame. I won’t judge her for the abortion, but I will blame her for not taking responsibility. It was her choice, plain and simple.

    Report Post » FreeUsAll  
    • RRFlyer
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:39am

      She murdered her own child, she can’t blame it on anyone else.

      Report Post »  
  • smackdown33
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:06am

    The real problem is a legal system that permits this kind of toxic behavior. Like deer, we need a lawyer thinning season.

    Report Post »  
  • Moozmom
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:04am

    She is lost and so will her children be. Sad

    Report Post »  
  • smackdown33
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:03am

    No one can force her to do anything. She made her choice. Live with it.

    Report Post »  
  • Stoic one
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 9:57am

    the following is taken off her PUBLIC Facebook page. Judge for yourself – her character.

    Philosophy
    Favorite Quotations “Revenge is a dish better served cold”

    “Never go to bed angry…stay up and plot your revenge!”…hehe

    Don’t confuse fame with success. Madonna is one; Helen Keller is the other, AND I’M THE OTHER BIAATCH LMFAO!

    Report Post » Stoic one  
    • JLGunner
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:01am

      Kinda says it all huh?

      Report Post » JLGunner  
    • JLGunner
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:05am

      I just took at a look at her interests and she’s quite the ghetto rat.

      Report Post » JLGunner  
    • commonsenseguy
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:07am

      revenge is better served cold, careful what she wishes for, revenge is a sweet pill to swallow,but has a very bitter after taste and some serious side effects,

      Report Post »  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:10am

      I hope her former employer can use this in court.

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • alina.bolero
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:23am

      She rolled the dice on a get-rich-quick lawyer scam and will most likely lose in a VERY big way. She, obviously, didn’t want the child to begin with. If she thought she was unable to get another job before … oh … just wait.

      “Revenge is sweet”? Yes dear, your employer’s. For trying to bad-mouth his business and make up phony allegations. You are responsible for your life hun … not your employer … not the state … not the federal government. I can certainly see how you are confused on that though … living in New York.

      Report Post » alina.bolero  
    • Baddoggy
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 10:26am

      Killed her baby, then this….sick sick sick.

      Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • crackerone
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:33am

      Think she would quailify as a zipper tester at a pant factory!

      Report Post »  
  • commonsenseguy
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 9:54am

    sounds kinda fishy to me,she had her choices to get pregnant or not,abort or not,and to work there or not,all her own choices no one else,i think she is felling guilty about aborting her child,now she is looking for someone to blame but herself.that is our future,the lefties have created them to have no responsibility or morals, and to blame everyone but themselves.i hate to say it,but our future is not so bright that we have to wear shades, but hey,if she can get paid for her own stupidity,then she can feel guilty,being rich, i am sure some liberal attorney will help her for a chuck of the pie.

    Report Post »  
    • deeberj
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 3:31pm

      It’s possible she was given a talking to by her employer who said she ought to get an abortion. But she was not forced. She has the choice to say no.

      Report Post » deeberj  
  • BO_Bill
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 9:50am

    The discoveries of the Greeks were absolutely critical to the thinking that gave rise to our once great nation. Consider the etymology of the word ‘hysterical’. Hint: the Greek word for woman is ‘hyster’. Now, consider Oprah’s audience, the 19th Amendment, and the timing of the emergence of our unsustainable welfare state.

    If I see this lady, I will go somewhere else to purchase a sandwich.

    Report Post » BO_Bill  
  • John 3:16
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 9:44am

    If she murdered her child “because of her job”, she deserves absolutley no payment. She should be glad she isn’t prosecuted for murder.She is a coward and a loser.

    Report Post » John 3:16  
  • hersey10
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 9:42am

    Where’s the baby daddy ? She still made the choice herself to abort the fetus . What the employer allegedly did was wrong . She is going to have a difficult time proving this .

    Report Post » hersey10  
    • Darla_K
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 11:00am

      Something is not right with this story. How can one be so stupid that they would abort their child to keep their job. I think she is scamming for easy money from the tax payers or she is the most stupiedest woman ever.

      Report Post » Darla_K  
  • grandmaof5
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 9:36am

    Abstension comes to mind and there would be no incident. She made a conscience choice to abort but I‘m sure her winnings from the ’law suit lottery’ will help alleviate her pain.

    Report Post »  
  • confederacyofdunces
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 9:35am

    This sounds very strange. I don’t know what to make of it.

    Report Post »  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 9:53am

      agreed, The employer reason for pics at new job make perfect sense as well. Sounds like suing for dollars to me.

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • Sirfoldallot
      Posted on January 2, 2012 at 9:56am

      Most of NY city & Cali r strange ppl.

      Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
  • JLGunner
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 9:35am

    btw, if money is that tight, why are you preganant? Where is the father or fathers?

    Report Post » JLGunner  
  • JLGunner
    Posted on January 2, 2012 at 9:34am

    Seems like there is more than meets the eye here. I’ve never met a woman willing to abort a child over the threat of losing a job.

    Report Post » JLGunner  
    • deeberj
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 3:29pm

      I agree. She was not forced to get an abortion. Forced would be if they kidnapped her and tied her to a table and gave her one as she kept shouting no.

      Report Post » deeberj  
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