The British tech CEO, who was caught on camera ranting against an Asian family, apologized for his racist tirade on Saturday, July 4, at a California restaurant.
According to The Washington Post, Michael Lofthouse of San Francisco-based tech company, Solid8, apologized on Tuesday, July 7, after the video showing his racist comments to an Asian family went viral.
In a statement sent to a local ABC affiliate, Michael Lofthouse apologized for his "appalling" behavior. He made the statement after Lofthouse was identified by news outlets to be the man showing his racist comments on a viral video.
"This was clearly a moment where I lost control and made incredibly hurtful and divisive comments. I would like to deeply apologize to the Chan family," Lofthouse said.
Lofthouse also said he can only imagine the stress and pain the Chan family felt. The CEO also wrote he was "taught to respect people of all races." and vowed to reflect on his actions and "work to better understand the inequality" that other people around him experience every day.
On the footage, Lofthouse is seen saying appalling against an Asian family who was having dinner at a restaurant in Carmel Valley, California.
The family was in the restaurant to celebrate their aunt's 4th of July birthday
The Orosa and Chan family were celebrating a birthday at Carmel Valley restaurant Lucia when the incident happened. "We were there just celebrating, having fun," said Raymond Orosa who was with his family to celebrate his aunt's birthday.
"Suddenly I hear this loud voice, you know like f'ing Asians," he said as the man sitting at the table next to them began ranting, then explained the fun quickly disappeared.
Lofthouse can be seen in the video flashing his middle finger at Jordan Chan, the woman who recorded the video. Then, he began shouting that the Chans need to leave the restaurant because they are Asian.
Lofthouse then shouted and said foul words to the guests. "Trump's gonna f*ck you," the man says to the family while standing up from his table.
View this post on Instagram️️️SHARE THIS POST️️️ Trigger warning: Racism, Vulgar Language (FYI he had a LOT more to say after I stopped recording) This is the face of the man who relentlessly harassed my family and I completely UNPROVOKED, UNWARRANTED, and UNCONSCIONABLE. We were celebrating my tita’s birthday, literally just singing happy birthday to her and taking pictures, when this white supremacist starts yelling disgusting racist remarks at us. (“Fuck you Asians” “Go back to whatever fucking Asian country you’re from” “You don’t belong here”) It is no coincidence that this man has the audacity to showcase such blatant racism on the 4th of July. White supremacy has a notorious habit of masquerading as patriotism! The fact that Donald Trump is our president (i.e. THE MOST POWERFUL MAN IN THE WORLD) gives racists a platform and amplifies voices of hate. The surfacing of racists is so prevalent right now, even in such an ethnically/culturally diverse and liberal state like California, because Trump HIMSELF uses his position to incite racial tension and to promote aggression towards POC, foreigners, and immigrants. We need change! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE VOTE THIS UPCOMING RE-ELECTION. PROTECT ALL PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF SKIN COLOR AND ETHNIC ORIGIN. A post shared by @ jordanlizchan on Jul 5, 2020 at 3:02pm PDT
The incident was caught on camera by Jordan Chan, who shared the footage to Instagram and Instagram, which quickly gained 4 million views. "Say it again, now, you're shy," Chan said in the video.
Meanwhile, a restaurant employee quickly stepped in. "Get out, you are not allowed here. You do not talk to our guests like that. They are valued, guests. Get out!" the employee told Lofthouse.
"I admire her for that," said Orosa referring to the employee's swift action. Despite what happened, Orosa said they did not let the experience ruin their annual family tradition.
After the incident, Bernardus Lodge and Spa vice president and general manager Sean Damery wrote in an email how proud they are with their employee.
While Damery said it was an extremely unfortunate situation, he is proud of his staff, who upheld Bernardus Lodge's core values. He also said the incident "was handled swiftly" with Lofthouse escorted out of the property.
Damery also said their company provides guests with a safe environment for lodging and dining. He also apologized to the guests who were enjoying a birthday celebration on a holiday weekend.
Orosa believes Lofthouse really meant what he said and did as he seemed to full of hate and anger then. He also said Lofthouse's actions speak louder than the words he is saying.
As Forbes noted, Lofthouse appeared to have deleted his LinkedIn and had his Facebook and Twitter pages suspended.
