Lottery-winning doorman gets the girl but might lose job
Posted: 7/23/2008 2:38:25 PM
The $5 million Park Avenue doorman may soon find himself out the door — his bosses say that winning the lottery turned him into a loser at work.
But Richie Randazzo, 44, who was visiting Atlantic City yesterday sporting a leggy Swedish model on his arm wasn't too upset.
He told The Post that if he's canned by his "jealous" bosses, he'll just do what every regular Joe does — try to collect unemployment insurance.
After hitting it big on May 2, Randazzo said he wanted to keep his job opening the door and hailing taxis for residents at 1021 Park, where he earns $40,000 a year plus tips.
But last week, he got a nastygram from Paul Ciaramella, an assistant vice president at the Brown Harris Stevens real-estate firm, chastising him for spending too much time outside the building and wearing short-sleeve shirts.
"This behavior will not be tolerated," the letter said. "Further incidents of this kind will lead to suspension and or termination of employment."
Randazzo insisted his work was fine — and his bosses ought to lighten up.
"I'm the most beloved doorman in New York," he said, as he praised the tenants in his building.
"It hurts. I've been nothing but dedicated and loyal to my job.
"But the job demands are a little too rigid," Randazzo said, "and someone has to stand up for the little guy.
"You're required to stand all the time," Randazzo, 44, complained. "They want you to look like a soldier."
He was AWOL yesterday
He skipped his 3 p.m. shift after calling in to say he had a pressing matter that required his attention, according to another doorman.
The emergency? A blackjack table at the Taj Mahal.
"Blackjack's my game," Randazzo said.
Randazzo and his 23-year-old gal pal, Sabina Mari Johansson, rolled up to the casino in a restored, candy-apple-red Cadillac El Dorado.
He immediately put his doorman skills to work, opening the door for Johansson.
"I want to kick back, drink and relax," Randazzo said. "I'm hoping to get a nice massage."
Randazzo griped that his bosses have been on his back since he scored big in the state's "Set for Life" scratch-off game.
"They are jealous. They're running [the apartment building] like the Gestapo," he said.
Randazzo said the gambling, and the girl, will take his mind off the pressures of trying to keep a job he has had for six years.
The $5 million man wasn't exactly shaking in his boots, although he said he would apply for unemployment compensation if he is fired. He said he'd use that money to help someone else.
A rep for the management firm declined comment.
Lottery-winning doorman Richard Randazzo parties yesterday in Atlantic City with new girlfriend Sabina Mari Johansson, unconcerned about having received a written warning from his bosses.
Source: New York Post
