Archie Comics boss Nancy Silberkleit sued for allegedly calling workers 'penis'

THE CEO of Archie Comics is being sued for allegedly calling staff members 'penis' in meetings. And that's just the start of what goes on in this bizarre company.

Archie Comics characters Veronica, Archie and Betty. Picture: Archie Comics.

THE Co-CEO of Archie Comics has been accused of discriminating against her male staff, allegedly calling them "penis" instead of their real names.

But Nancy Silberkleit, who took over the company in 2009 after the death of her husband, claims they have no case because white males aren't a "protected class" according to documents filed in the Westchester Supreme Court, The New York Daily News reports.

The plaintiffs - which include company president Mike Pellerito and Editor-in-chief Victor Gorelick - claim she used "gender as a weapon" by yelling "Penis! Penis! Penis" at them in meetings, the Daily News reports.

Silberkleit, 59, said she's shocked at the allegations which she describes as "cruel" and "inaccurate."

The suit comes at a crisis point for the famous company which produces Archie, Jughead and Sabrina the Teenage Witch comics.

Archie Comics characters Veronica, Archie and Betty. Picture: Archie Comics.

Since Silberkleit took over her fellow boss tried to force her out in a 2011 law suit because she was "unstable" and "threatened to run the company into the ground", the Daily News reports.

It was eventually resolved with an agreement Silberkleit would interact with staff through a go-between, Samuel Levitin.

However the dispute erupted again when she accused Levitin of sexual harassment in a case that is still pending.

Another lawsuit was brought against Silberkleit in October, this time with employees alleging she sought to intimidate staff by bringing Hell's Angels bikies to the office and inquiring where her late husband kept his gun and ammunition.

Staff hired armed guards in a bid to keep her away from the premises, the Daily News reports.

Silberkleit has denied wrongdoing, saying the claims are false and she has barely interacted with the workers involved as she is often away travelling.

"I'm hoping it will all get straightened out," she said.

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