Utah state attorney apologizes for expletive-laden email sent to gay Asian-American councilman
A Utah state attorney has apologized to an openly gay, Asian-American politician for sending him an expletive-laden email, after he “was awakened from a nap.”
On Saturday Salt Lake City Councilman Darin Mano said that he arrived home to a “hateful email,” after a day of campaigning.
The angry email, sent to him by Assistant Utah Attorney General Steven Wuthrich, didn’t measure any words.
“I will do everything in my power to see you never get elected to any office higher than dogcatcher,” Wuthrich wrote in part.
“I hate you,” he continued. “I hate your family. I hate your solicitors. I hate your contributors. I hate your sponsors. Kindly die and go to hell, mother---”
Mano, a father of four, was appointed to Erin Mendenhall’s vacant council seat in 2020 after she was elected mayor, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. He’s now campaigning to be the first Asian American officially elected to the City Council.
Earlier this week he posted a screenshot of the email on his Facebook page, writing that,“as an Asian American and member of the LGBTQ+ community, I must stand up against hate speech and call it out when I see it. As a City Councilmember and a candidate running for election, it’s my duty to reach my constituents, listen to what is important to them and make informed decisions.”
“There’s no room for hate in our city,” he added.
Wulthrich initially refused to comment on the situation, according to The Tribune. But on Tuesday, after the story appeared online, he issued an apology.
“Last Saturday, I was awakened from a nap and reacted with undue anger based solely on the interruption to my tranquility,” he wrote.
“Since then, I have regretted the ferocity and language of that email. My words were uncivil and unprofessional. From me personally, I apologize to Salt Lake City Councilman Darin Mano and his family,” the assistant attorney general added.
He also said that he didn’t wish any harm on Mano, his family or his associates.
“No parent, spouse or child should be subjected to such emotional outbursts,” he wrote. “I am deeply sorry.”
Following the assistant attorney general’s apology “for his vulgar email directed at me,” Mano said in a statement that he appreciates the gesture, “particularly the assurance that my family is safe.”
“I’m hopeful this has been a learning experience for us all that we need to slow down, think before we react, and treat each other with kindness and respect,” he added.
