The co-founder of a company that manufactures frozen yogurt bars who was arrested last Wednesday for shouting derogatory remarks at a group of protestors in New York City and pushing a camera into a woman’s face has resigned from his post, the company announced Monday.
Saverio Pugliese, 49, of Manhasset, was charged with assault and criminal mischief after he allegedly left a sushi restaurant he was patronizing in the Chelsea neighborhood in New York City and shouted “White lives matter” and “I hope you get raped tonight” at protestors leaving the Union Square rally, according to Gothamist, an online news site.
When a woman photographing the protests turned her camera on Pugliese, he reportedly grabbed the camera and pushed it back in her face.
“It was kind of comical that he hit me with my own camera. He went for my nose and my viewing screen cracked, and he knocked out my contact lens,” the victim, Betty Yu, 37, told Gothamist. “I wish I could have clicked, but he was so forceful that when I had my finger on the shutter he literally took the lens and smashed it into my face.”
Pugliese co-founded Be Active Brands, which manufactures the Greek frozen yogurt snack Jala. In 2013, he was named the company’s president.
But in light of last Wednesday’s incident, Pugliese stepped down from his post Monday and was replaced by the company’s vice president, Joseph Rienzi.
“Be Active Holdings has a zero tolerance policy for any sexist or hateful language. We believe in equality and respect at every level,” the company said in a news release announcing Pugliese’s resignation.
Pugliese, who also goes by the nickname “Sam,” was photographed on the street raising both his middle fingers at passersby.
Gothamist editor Christopher Robbins, who was reportedly near the incident, told the online news blog that Pugliese “seemed intoxicated” and “was clearly provoking the protestors who were walking by.”
Reach reporter Bill San Antonio by e-mail at bsanantonio@theislandnow.com, by phone at 516.307.1045 x215 and on Twitter @ Bill_SanAntonio. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
