Rafael Rafidi, a businessman from Metairie whose inflammatory social media posts came to light after the Jefferson Parish School Board appointed him to fill a vacant seat on the board, has resigned, NOLA.com reports.
The board appointed Rafidi to its District 6 seat, which was vacant due to the resignation of Larry Dale. But not long after the meeting in which the board confirmed the appointment, social media posts came to light in which Rafidi profanely described local officials such as Sen. Bill Cassidy and former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, disparaged teachers, and admitted to being at the U.S. Capitol as a mob of Donald Trump supporters attempted to overturn the election of Joe Biden.
Rafidi says he remained peaceful and never entered the Capitol.
After the backslash arose, the board put out a statement Friday afternoon saying it was asking Rafidi to step down.
"When we made his appointment, the board was not aware of these social media posts," the statement read. "We strongly believe that the lingering effect of Mr. Rafidi’s provocative positions will render him ineffective as a district representative and School Board member."
