Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Carmel Valley Restaurant Tosses Tech CEO After Racist Tirade
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
July 9, 2020

Share

CARMEL VALLEY — A Northern California restaurant server ordered a man to leave after he made racist comments and cursed at an Asian-American family that was celebrating a birthday.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday the Lucia Restaurant & Bar in Carmel Valley has received an outpouring of community support after the incident, which was captured on video.
The family was at the restaurant Saturday when a man at a nearby table started ranting, said Raymond Orosa, who was with the group. “Suddenly I hear this loud voice, you know like f’ing Asians,” Orosa told KGO-7.
The video, which went viral, shows the man cursing at the family and telling them to leave. The server intervenes and tells the man not to speak to the family like that, then orders him to leave and not come back.
Sean Damery, vice president of Bernardus Lodge & Spa, which includes the restaurant, apologized to the family and said he was proud of the staff. He said the man was escorted off the property without further incident.
Since then, the company has received letters and flowers from community members, said Koleen Hamblin, a spokeswoman for the resort.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

❗️❗️❗️SHARE THIS POST❗️❗️❗️ 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


The television station identified the man as Michael Lofthouse, chief executive of tech company Solid8, and said Lofthouse issued a statement apologizing to the family.
“This was clearly a moment where I lost control and made incredibly hurtful and divisive comments,” the statement said. “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 said he doesn’t find the statement to be sincere, but nevertheless, he forgives him.
“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 said.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

High-Speed Rail CEO Won’t Commit to Size of Fresno Station. What’s in the Future for Rail?

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Crew Rescues Man Who Fell Into Ponding Basin Near Coalinga

DON'T MISS

Where Valley Lawmakers Stand on Punishing Seekers of Teens for Sex

DON'T MISS

Arias Criticizes Smittcamp Over Lack of Drug, Homeless Arrests

DON'T MISS

Tulare County Man Convicted of Child Molestation, Faces 16 Years in Prison

DON'T MISS

California Democrats Reject Push for Harsher Penalties for Soliciting Sex From Older Teens

DON'T MISS

Trump Turns to US Supreme Court in Bid to Strip Protected Status From Venezuelan Migrants

DON'T MISS

Fresno’s Audra McDonald Earns 11th Tony Nomination, Eyes Record Seventh Win for ‘Gypsy’

DON'T MISS

US Imposes Sanctions on Mexican Fuel Theft Network It Links to CJNG Cartel

DON'T MISS

Last Chevron-Chartered Vessel Starts to Return Oil Cargo in Venezuela, Data and Source Say

UP NEXT

New CIA Videos Aim to Lure Chinese Officials

UP NEXT

Trump Taps Waltz for US Ambassador to the United Nations

UP NEXT

Brazilian Nun Who Was the World’s Oldest Person Has Died at 116

UP NEXT

California Teachers Association Organizes Statewide Protest Against Trump Administration

UP NEXT

EPA Research in Limbo as Scientists Brace for Massive Job Cuts

UP NEXT

California’s Heavy-Duty Truck Rules Rescinded by US House

UP NEXT

100 Days In, California Is Suing Trump at Almost Double the Pace of His First Term

UP NEXT

UNC’s Belichick Defends Hudson as ‘Doing Her Job’ After Interjecting During CBS Interview

UP NEXT

California’s Multifamily Housing Production Costs Soar Above Other States

UP NEXT

Teoscar Hernandez, Andy Pages Lead 18-Hit Attack as Dodgers Beat Marlins

Arias Criticizes Smittcamp Over Lack of Drug, Homeless Arrests

6 hours ago

Tulare County Man Convicted of Child Molestation, Faces 16 Years in Prison

7 hours ago

California Democrats Reject Push for Harsher Penalties for Soliciting Sex From Older Teens

7 hours ago

Trump Turns to US Supreme Court in Bid to Strip Protected Status From Venezuelan Migrants

8 hours ago

Fresno’s Audra McDonald Earns 11th Tony Nomination, Eyes Record Seventh Win for ‘Gypsy’

8 hours ago

US Imposes Sanctions on Mexican Fuel Theft Network It Links to CJNG Cartel

9 hours ago

Last Chevron-Chartered Vessel Starts to Return Oil Cargo in Venezuela, Data and Source Say

9 hours ago

At Least 9 Dead in Drone Strikes After US and Ukraine Sign Minerals Deal

9 hours ago

New CIA Videos Aim to Lure Chinese Officials

9 hours ago

Trump Taps Waltz for US Ambassador to the United Nations

10 hours ago

High-Speed Rail CEO Won’t Commit to Size of Fresno Station. What’s in the Future for Rail?

As part of the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s attempt to rein in a ballooning budget, its new CEO in a townhall last week walk...

5 hours ago

5 hours ago

High-Speed Rail CEO Won’t Commit to Size of Fresno Station. What’s in the Future for Rail?

A man was rescued early Thursday, May 1, 2025, after falling 60 feet into a ponding basin near Coalinga and was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. (CAL FIRE)
5 hours ago

Fresno County Crew Rescues Man Who Fell Into Ponding Basin Near Coalinga

5 hours ago

Where Valley Lawmakers Stand on Punishing Seekers of Teens for Sex

6 hours ago

Arias Criticizes Smittcamp Over Lack of Drug, Homeless Arrests

Justin Mills, 36, of Pixley, was convicted on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, of six felony counts of child molestation and faces up to 16 years in prison. (Tulare County DA)
7 hours ago

Tulare County Man Convicted of Child Molestation, Faces 16 Years in Prison

7 hours ago

California Democrats Reject Push for Harsher Penalties for Soliciting Sex From Older Teens

An aerial view shows Diover Millan of Venezuela, top left, and other detainees at the Bluebonnet Detention Facility, the facility where Venezuelans at the center of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling are held, in Anson, Texas, U.S., April 23, 2025. (REUTERS/Daniel Cole/File Photo)
8 hours ago

Trump Turns to US Supreme Court in Bid to Strip Protected Status From Venezuelan Migrants

Fresno’s Audra McDonald, already the most decorated performer in Tony history, is nominated for a record-breaking seventh award for her role in the “Gypsy” revival. (Shutterstock)
8 hours ago

Fresno’s Audra McDonald Earns 11th Tony Nomination, Eyes Record Seventh Win for ‘Gypsy’

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend