NY Deli apologises to Forest Whitaker over shoplifting drama

Los Angeles: Owners of a New York delicatessen, where Oscar winner Forest Whitaker was accused of shoplifting last week, have apologised to the actor for the actions of a "misguided" employee.

A representative for the deli said, "The management of Milano Market deeply regrets the wrongful actions of our employee in stopping and frisking Forest Whitaker". But the representative denied reports that the employee`s actions were racially motivated, reported TMZ. "While we can not delve into the employee`s mindset, we do not believe that he was racially motivated in his actions, simply `misguided`," the representative added. The store owners are hoping to appease Whitaker, 51, by offering a donation to the charity of his choice. On February 15, the actor was publicly searched and manhandled at the Milano Market in Manhattan after a store worker suspected him of stealing an item. PTI