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Major Perfume Heir Faces Racism Accusation In Trial
Longtime music executive Francesca Spero, 51 (pictured below, middle), is suing former employer Sean "Diddy" Combs for $12 million, claiming she was put out to pasture for being disabled and old.
Spero, who claims to have been the brains behind the discovery of countless musical megastars including Combs, had a disagreement with the hip-hop impresario. She wound up having hip surgery two years ago, then confiding to an executive that she was being treated for drug-dependency relapse.
The Long Island woman was allegedly rendered useless to the Bad Boy organization by Combs. The lawsuit also states that the iconic musical entrepreneur thought Spero made too much money and could no longer keep up with the fast pace of his business.
A celebrated industry behind-the-scenes talent, Spero met Combs back in 1988, and 10 years later, she went to work for him. As an employee with Bad Boy, the woman who was once affectionately known as "the Mom" or "Auntie" at Bad Boy, oversaw the $38-million deal between Comb's record company and Warner Bros., signed new talent and cleared musical endorsements for corporations. Spero is also credited with producing the MTV hit reality show "Making the Band."
Last March, Spero was given the boot by Combs. Her replacement is a woman who is 10 to 15 years her junior, and who supposedly, does not bring anywhere near the skill sets that Spero has secured under her belt.
A publicist for Combs released a statement saying, "There are many reasons why Ms. Spero is no longer employed by Bad Boy, but age discrimination is not one of them."
Comments: (21)
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By: ?????....... on 9/05/2010 8:27AM
This article ain't worth commenting on.
Uh... excuse me ma, (isn't).
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By: ADMR on 10/28/2010 1:30AM
AMEN...HOWEVER - Let's Be Extra Nasty!
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By: Tazmanian girl on 9/05/2010 8:37AM
What else is new?
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By: Ann on 9/05/2010 1:21PM
yes this article is worth commenting on, you should appreciate the people that help you get where you are, even in there ruff times, When you render someone useless because they have a few issues in there life or they dont look like they use to thats bad business. I feel puff has forgotten where he came from and the .people that help him get there. He is arrogant and selfish
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By: kheru on 9/08/2010 11:00AM
about time some of them start getting a taste of what discrimiination feels like. if he hired her to get what he wanted and he got it, then good. she made enough money of the young black buck. let her go find a job "helping" white kids imitate black kids and see if she can make the same kind of money doing that. I wonder if Diddy hired a person of color this time--probably not. he's sufficiently white washed enough to think that only whites can help he get what he wants.
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By: pat on 9/05/2010 11:30AM
What is wrong with Mr Diddy? Things are bad out here and people need there jobs. This a long time worker and a dutiful one who has done many things for his operation, and as said is put out to pasture. Most of the older workers are the ones that will work for you> I can't believe he would do something like that, especially when the woman has had a little trama in her life.
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By: ann on 9/05/2010 11:51AM
Diddy is getting toooo big for his own pants. When he had that female singing group allot came out about how he operates..and it aint good. One thing that bothered me is it was said he doesnt like to pay people..so that tells me he likes to use people and keep all the profit for hisself. After he took advantage of those young people in my opinion I wont watch buy or listen to anything he puts outs ever again. Remember Diddy what God gives he can also take away...dont forget it. There are allot of people who thought they would never be poor again are broke today.
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By: ADMR on 10/28/2010 1:34AM
SEE...
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By: Jazz in Michigan on 9/05/2010 2:32PM
There are certain professions where age could and indeed should be a factor. As we get older, our energy slows down (I am 65 by the way). However, each situation should be handled on an individual basis. Some 65 year olds have the energy and stamina of a 40 year old. If a person is no longer functional in his/her job, that person should step down. The same applies to the disabled. If the job requires a person to push heavy equipment and the disabled person can barely lift his/her arm, then they are not qualified for the job.
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By: cbendy on 9/06/2010 8:50AM
Of course what you are saying is correct, however, there was a time when your employer was grateful for the many years of service to the company and would make sure you retired and continue to live in comfort or modest means. This was gratitude. Now in today's time if you can not fuction you are thrown away or to the dogs. It does not matter how much you did for the company to flourish in times past or what you contributed for the company to get to where it is today. You are just no longer needed and therefore expendable. Well, we all are expendable, but where is the love and compassion that used to be shown for a job well done? Love and compassion is a dying breed.
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