ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (KNX) –Two Black Orange County leaders have announced their support for District Attorney Todd Spitzer after he was accused of making racist remarks.
A memo, written by former Senior Assistant D.A. Ebrahim Baytieh, revealed it happened during a discussion of whether the office should consider the death penalty against Jamon Buggs, who was accused of killing Wendi Miller and Darren Partch, a white couple. During that discussion, Spitzer allegedly asked what race the man’s ex-girlfriends were.
The memo also alleged that Spitzer said he “knows many Black people who get themselves out of their bad circumstances and bad situations by only dating “white women.”
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Spitzer claimed his comments were taken out of context, saying race was only brought into the conversation because “the facts of this case were that Buggs wanted to kill the man he believed was dating/sleeping with his former girlfriend — a white, blonde woman.”
Civil rights leader Reverend Mark Whitlock and Bobby McDonald, who serves as the president of the Black Chamber of Orange County, released statements on Monday, in which they lent their support to Spitzer.
In his statement, Whitlock called Spitzer a “friend” and said that while Spitzer’s remarks were “insensitive” that it should not ruin Spitzer’s career, according to the Orange County Register.
“My Christianity teaches forgiveness, and not to throw stones to cancel a person’s career and character,” Whitlock said. “I believe this is a teachable moment and not a cancel Todd Spitzer opportunity.”
In his statement, McDonald said he believed Spitzer was a great district attorney.
“I am grateful we have a district attorney who is willing to have tough conversations and give serious consideration to how racism may have impacted a particular case,” McDonald said.
Spitzer, who shared the statements on his Facebook page, called Whitlock and McDonald “dear friends” and said he is “grateful for their support and determined to continue fighting to keep Orange County safe.”
Meanwhile, the NAACP is calling for Spitzer’s resignation.
“The disgusting and atrociously racist beliefs of DA Spitzer disqualifies him from being an elected official at any level of government,” Rick Callender, president of the California and Hawaii State Conference NAACP said.
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