Racism In Silicon Valley: Tech CEO Issues Public Apology After Video Of Racist Rant Appears On Social Media

The CEO of cloud computing company Solid8, LLC, has apologized publicly for spouting racist remarks at an an Asian family after a family member posted a video of his bad behavior on Instagram.

The executive, Michael Lofthouse, was dining at Bernardus Lodge and Spa’s Lucia restaurant in Monterey, California, at the same time that Chan family members were celebrating their an aunt’s birthday.

Lofthouse apparently became angry when family members were “just taking pictures and goofing around with each other," Jordan Chan told Monterey CBS-affiliate KION.

Chan told the news outlet that she recorded Lofthouse’s rant and posted it online a short time later.

The video shows Lofthouse both using offensive language and hand gestures.

“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 Tuesday in the 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 race 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.”

Warning: the video below contains graphic language.

A server confronted Lofthouse and had him escorted out , but he kept ranting.

Bernardus vice president and general manager Sean Damery also apologized to the Chan family for Lofthouse's actions.

"This is an extremely unfortunate situation, however we are proud of our staff at Lucia in keeping with Bernardus Lodge’s core values; this incident was handled swiftly and the diner was escorted off property without further escalation," Damery said. "We provide guests with a safe environment for lodging and dining, and extend our sincere apologies to the guests enjoying a birthday celebration on a holiday weekend."

Chan also shared comments Lofthouse posted in the video’s comment section after another commenter said Lofthouse was “canceled.”

Warning: the content below includes graphic language.

“I’ve dealt with racism before but never on that scale,” Chan told San Francisco CBS-affiliate KPIX. “Never on the level where somebody completely unprovoked felt obligated to voice their hatred for absolutely no reason.”

Since Chan posted the video, Lofthouse has suspended his Twitter account, taken down his Facebook page and has deleted his Linkedin account . Solid8 has not weighed in on the exchange.

Local leaders criticized Lofthouse's behavior. One compared the rant to the disparaging words President Donald Trump uses when he talks about the origins of the coronavirus.

"It was really disturbing that this would happen," Asian Law Alliance CEO Richard Konda told KPIX. "Unfortunately, our President has made it a hobby of using terms like ‘Kung Flu’ or ‘Chinese Virus’ or ‘Wuhan Virus.'"