Local
Florida Bar dismisses technician after racist, homophobic messages sent to Miami player
The Florida Bar says it fired a computer technician after messages containing racist and homophobic slurs were sent to Miami linebacker Damon Wilson II. The employee denied sending them, but the Bar said he did not show that his Instagram account had been compromised.
The Florida Bar fired a computer technician Wednesday after an account bearing the employee’s name sent racist and homophobic messages to University of Miami football player Damon Wilson II, the organization said.
The messages arrived after Miami’s 43-35 win over Florida State last weekend. Wilson, who is Black, posted a screenshot publicly Sunday and described the messages as a “glimpse into the life of a black student athlete.”
The Bar said the employee, who had worked there for about two years, denied sending the messages. It said he did not provide enough evidence to satisfy the organization that his Instagram account had been compromised.
“Those messages were reprehensible and inconsistent with the mission, values, and policies of The Florida Bar,” the organization said in a statement announcing the termination. It had said Tuesday that the employee was under investigation.
The reason for the messages was not clear. Wilson is in his first season with Miami after playing at Georgia and Missouri.
Miami offensive lineman Ryan Rodriguez voiced support for Wilson Tuesday, saying, “That’s my brother, and I embrace him. It’s more than a game. That’s my brother.”
The Hurricanes, ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Top 25, are scheduled to host Pittsburgh on Saturday.