Michael Lofthouse, 37, the British founder and CEO of tech company Solid8, has resigned from his position and enrolled in an anti-racism programme after a video showed him shouting racist abuse at an Asian family in a California restaurant. The incident occurred at the Bernardus Lodge and Spa's Lucia restaurant in Carmel Valley earlier this month.
In the footage, Lofthouse is heard calling the family a 'f***ing Asian piece of s***' before being ejected from the restaurant. He initially issued an apology but later admitted it 'did not go far enough' and announced his resignation to prevent a 'detrimental impact' on his colleagues.
Lofthouse stated: 'My comments towards the families involved were racist, hurtful and deeply inappropriate. I wholeheartedly acknowledge that I am complicit in a system that enables this behaviour... but I am dedicated to changing.' He apologised directly to the families of Jordan Chan and Raymond Orosa, who were celebrating a birthday at the time.
Raymond Orosa, however, rejected the apology, telling ABC News the abuse was 'full of hate and anger' and that Lofthouse's actions spoke louder than his words. Waitress Gennica Cochran intervened during the rant, telling Lofthouse the group were 'valued guests' and ordering him to leave.
A GoFundMe page set up for Cochran has raised over $82,705 (around £65,000), with two other pages raising an additional $21,000 (over £16,000). Lofthouse has cut all ties with Solid8 and is now committed to an anti-racist programme.
