Inside a fired fitness trainer's legal fight against Fisher Island
A fitness trainer at Fisher Island who was fired last year is suing the luxe residential club, accusing it of racial discrimination.
The big picture: The island community — accessible only by boat or helicopter — is one of the wealthiest ZIP codes in America and a source of palace intrigue, legal fights and celebrity gossip.
Driving the news: Shebah Carfagna, who says she was the only Black woman working as a trainer on Fisher Island, alleges in a lawsuit filed last year that the club "terminated her because she is a black woman who objected to her mistreatment."
District Judge Rodolfo A. Ruiz II in January dismissed two counts from the suit and sent another to arbitration.
A fourth count — alleging the club's actions "demonstrate an intent to discriminate against Carfagna on the basis of her race" — remains pending.
Carfagna, who worked on Fisher Island for 14 years through her Panache Fitness brand, alleges that the club:
Directed clients away from her and her life partner, a Black man who also works on Fisher Island as a trainer.
Prevented her from teaching certain classes she was certified to teach.
Withheld payments owed to her and harassed and intimidated her.
The other side: Fisher Island Club issued a statement to Axios denying the allegations and saying it ended its business relationship with Panache Fitness "for legitimate business reasons."
"The Club is disappointed that last year Ms. Carfagna filed a lawsuit alleging that this decision was unlawful," the club said.
"However, the Club is committed to continue to address such allegations through the appropriate legal channels as the allegations are unfounded and without merit."
The club ended its contract with Panache Fitness in April 2024, alleging that Carfagna offered virtual fitness classes without club approval and that trainers and guests had complained about her, according to Carfagna's lawsuit.
In her lawsuit, filed last June but not previously reported, Carfagna argues her firing was retaliation for raising concerns about a "hostile" work environment.
The club's reasons for firing her were "entirely contrived," her lawsuit says.
Zoom in: The club allowed white trainers to hold virtual classes, the lawsuit says.
The wife of a Fisher Island board member attended Carfagna's virtual classes and emailed the club to ask that Carfagna be hired back, the suit says. (In a legal filing, Fisher Island attorneys did not dispute this.)
Carfagna said the club's complaints were inconsistent with her "impeccable" reputation and said many other club members sent emails to management opposing her firing.
What they're saying: Carfagna's attorney, Jonathan Minsker, tells Axios that Fisher Island Club's actions are "both shameful and illegal."
"Ms. Carfagna did not want this fight, and she did not ask for it, but she will not be bullied," he said in a statement. "She intends to fully vindicate her rights and hopefully prevent the Club's management from doing this to others."
What's next: Fisher Island this month filed a motion asking the judge to rule in its favor on the lawsuit's sole remaining count, which would end the suit.
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