[ad_1]
Utah Assistant Attorney General Stephen Waterrich has apologized after telling a Salt Lake City councilman to “die and go to hell” in an email filled with expletives, claiming the city lawmaker disturbed Saturday’s nap.
Darren Manu, Salt Lake City’s first Asian-American board member, told NBC News Wednesday that he was “shocked” and “upset” to read the attorney general’s angry email when he returned home Saturday night after knocking on the doors of his House campaign. City.
“I will do everything in my power to see that you will never be elected to any position higher than that of a dog hunter,” Wuthrich wrote in his email to Mano. “I hate you. I hate your family. I hate your lawyer. I hate your shareholders. I hate your sponsors. Please die and go to hell mother—–!!!!”
Wuthrich issued an apology for the fiery email late Tuesday afternoon.
“Last Saturday, I woke up from a nap and reacted with needless anger at only my calmness being interrupted,” Wutrich said in a statement. “Since then, I have regretted the ferocity and language of that email. My words were uncivilized and unprofessional.”
“I personally apologize to Salt Lake City Councilman Darren Mano and his family. I have never wanted to harm Mr. Mano, his family, or anyone associated with him. No parent, spouse or child should be subject to such emotional outbursts. I am deeply sorry.”
Manu, who was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall in January 2020, will be on the ballot for the first time in November. While accepting the apology, Manu said Wuthrich had not contacted him or his team about the email.
“It was an inappropriate response, particularly from a government official,” he said.
Wuthrich did not immediately respond to a question about whether he had contacted Manu personally.
Manu said he felt obligated to make the email public due to the rise in hate crimes against Asian American communities across the country.
In a Facebook post, Manu wrote: “As an Asian American and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I must stand up against hate speech and shoot it when I see it.”
Manu acknowledged that the email did not identify him or target her, but said he “felt personal” because Wuthrich mentioned his family, which appeared on the post in the attorney general’s home. In the post’s photos, the council member said he is a person of color and can be seen in photos with his partner and four children.
Darren Mano and partner Kevin Randall Brian Burb
In his initial email, Wuthrich said he had an “unsolicited solicitation” sign on his door. Manu said he saw the banner, but clarified that “looting and campaigning are not the same thing.”
“Our understanding of the law is that campaigns are protected by the First Amendment — which is why we were particularly shocked that one might think an assistant attorney general would know the difference,” he said.
In his statement, Wuthrich sent Mano his best wishes.
“I am taking steps to examine my reaction and find ways to ensure that something like this never happens again,” he said.
Manu added that he is not bitter towards the attorney general and hopes to learn from this experience.
“The best possible outcome is for everyone who hears this story to remember that we need to treat each other with kindness and respect – no matter who we are,” he said.
[ad_2]
Picture Credit!