Bernard Spitzer, the father of former Governor Eliot Spitzer, defended himself in a Bronx court today against discrimination charges.

Four African-Americans, who call themselves the 57th Street Four, brought the suit after being fired in 1999 from their jobs as workers in a building owned by Spitzer.

They say a supervisor told them they were let go because Spitzer wanted to get rid of all the blacks. They also accuse Spitzer of using racial slurs.

The 84 year old was the first person to take the stand in the trial today and claimed he had no knowledge of the plaintiffs and when they worked in the building. He also claims he never met them and therefore could not have known the color of their skin.

Spitzer said he was not involved in the hiring or firing of any employees – that it was done by a management company that did not have his approval or signature.

He stated all the employees that were hired in 1999, when the building was opening, were temporary, and these men simply were not asked to stay on past that period.