The CEO of Arizona-based company AgroPlasma, Hans Berglund, who founded the fertilizer firm, has been caught on camera engaging in a racist rant toward an Uber driver.
The driver, Randy Clark, informed Berglund that he would have to ride in the back, as Clark had previously been sexually assaulted by a passenger who rode in the front seat.
Then, Berglund completely lost his composure and started in on a shockingly racist tirade against Clark.
After being told he’d have to ride in the back, Berglund began to act irritated, getting short and snippy with Clark. Clark, eager to end the situation, asked Berglund to get out of the vehicle.
That was when the CEO shouted, “Is it because I’m white? And you’re a f*cking n***er?”
Berglund’s appalling outburst was caught on Clark’s security camera, which the driver installed for situations just like this. Following his sexual assault and numerous problematic riders, Clark felt it would be wise to equip his vehicle with a camera and a microphone.
Speaking about Berglund’s outburst, Clark stated, “I shamelessly felt like laughing because I did not know this was real. It’s not just any word.”
When the heads of AgroPlasma saw the footage, they fired Berglund immediately.
At first, Berglund offered what sounded like thoughtful contemplation of his actions: “I firmly believe that there is no excuse for the use of racial slurs under any circumstance, so I will not offer any,” Berglund stated.
However, he quickly undercut this sentiment with complaints about the consequences of his actions. Berglund bemoaned his situation, saying,
“I founded the company, but now I’m gone.” He then called the situation “such a sad story.”
“It’s so blown out of proportion, and it’s ruined my life,” Berglund insisted outside his stately manor. Somehow, Berglund will have to come to terms with the reality that his actions do, in fact, carry consequences.
