Michael Lofthouse, the San Francisco tech CEO who resigned after being filmed yelling racist remarks towards an Asian American family in a Carmel Valley restaurant, only apologized to “save face,” says the family.
The details: In an interview with ABC7, Raymond Orosa said he doesn’t believe Lofthouse’s words in his apology while recounting the events that happened at Bernardus Lodge and Spa’s Lucia on July 4.
- “He’s just saving face,” Orosa said. “I think he really meant what he said and what he did. I don’t believe his words because his actions speak louder than the words he’s saying.”
- “I can’t say what he did was acceptable or right, it isn’t, because a lot of people will probably disagree with me for saying I forgive him… but I do,” he added.
- “My behavior in the video is appalling. This was clearly a moment where I lost control and made incredibly hurtful and divisive comments,” Lofthouse said in his apology. “I would like to deeply apologize to the Chan family. I can only imagine the stress and pain they feel. I was taught to respect people of all races, and I will take the time to reflect on my actions and work to better understand the inequality that so many of those around me face every day.”
- Orosa was out with his family to celebrate a birthday when they encountered Lofthouse. The incident was caught on video by Orosa’s niece, Jordan Chan.
- “He was full of hate and anger,” Orosa said. “It’s sad that there are still people that are like that in this world, let alone in this country.”
- A waitress, identified as Gennica Cochran, stepped in and kicked Lofthouse out of the restaurant for his xenophobic and racist comments.
- Message screenshots of Lofthouse spewing the same anti-Asian hate, including one where he said “Asian f**k” and “Come near me or my people and you are f**king dead,” were also posted online after the video went viral.
The aftermath: Lofthouse has stepped down from his position as Solid8 CEO following the incident and after issuing an apology, according to Fox News.
- “It is with regret that my initial statement and apology did not go far enough in addressing my behavior in Carmel last weekend and the steps that I need to take. I can confirm that I have stepped down from Solid8, terminating all business relationships with immediate effect,” Lofthouse said.
- He also added that he is dedicated to change by staying sober and enrolling himself in an anti-racist program.
- “I will make it my duty to ensure my personal actions do not continue to have a detrimental impact on those people closest to me,” he said. “I have once again begun my journey back to sobriety and have enrolled in an anti-racist program with immediate effect. My comments towards the families involved were racist, hurtful and deeply inappropriate. The reactions to what was said have been deserved and I wholeheartedly acknowledge that I am complicit in a system that enables this behavior and these broken beliefs to exist but I am dedicated to changing.”
Feature Image Screenshots via ABC7
