Chris Burch sued by former employee over ‘offensive’ gay remark

Already embroiled in a dispute with his ex-wife and business partner, Tory Burch, Christopher Burch now has legal issues at his investment firm over his alleged preference for hiring gay men. A $1 million federal suit in Manhattan filed against Chris Burch claims he openly stated he “only hired gay men because they were productive and he trusted them,” reports The Post’s Bruce Golding. Former employee Jamie Ardigo, from Hoboken, says he found the remark “extremely offensive,” and complained about it and other “inappropriate comments” by Burch’s girlfriend, Monika Chiang — then was fired from his human-resources job in February. Burch’s attorney Brian S. Cousin said: “The defendants deny the allegations of discrimination and retaliation set forth in the complaint and are prepared to mount a vigorous defense.” Burch is also battling his ex over his new C. Wonder store in SoHo. Tory claims his business is knocking off her clothing line, and she has forced him to step down as co-chair of the board of Tory Burch.