A Charlotte County commissioner is being advised to take a management training class after an investigation reveals he used the N-word.
Commissioner Stephen Deutsch is accused of using the racial slur during a meeting with the county's metropolitan planning director, D’Juan Harris.
The internal investigation was conducted independently by the Orlando-based DSK Law firm. The reports said Commissioner Deutsch not only used the word in front of Harris, who is Black, but then tried to convince Harris the term was one of endearment.
“That is absolutely wrong, and he should be called out for it,” said Kim Mitchell.
Folks in Charlotte County reacted to the investigation, condemning the slur.
D'Juan Harris said under oath that the meeting began with the commissioner saying, “The country dodged a bullet in not electing Kamala Harris."
Planning Commissioner Harris disagreed with Deutsch.
Then, out of nowhere, Harris claimed Deutsch said, "When he was a child, his friend's mother would call her son the N-word, saying it was a term of endearment and not meant to be offensive."
As Harris exited the room, he told investigators Deutsch raised his fist in the air chanting "fight, fight, fight," impersonating Trump’s chants after an assassination attempt.
Deutsch said under oath that Mr. Harris' negative comments about Trump led to Commissioner Deutsch and Harris to share their background as children.
Deutsch said children often referred to him as an N-word or a Nazi.
Deutsch also told investigators his childhood friend, who was African American, was called the N-word by his mother.
When the investigator asked if he shared that story with Harris, Commissioner Deutsch responded no.
The report questions how Harris would have known about the story.
The investigator concluded that Deutsch violated county policy by engaging in offensive behavior.
The report suggested Commissioner Deutsch be issued a public reprimand and participate in management training classes.
Some residents in Charlotte County said Deutsch should issue a public apology.
Gulf Coast News tried to track down Commissioner Stephen Deutsch Thursday for his reaction to the report and the claims in it. His office said he will make no public comment until the next public meeting set for Tuesday, Feb. 11.