A Texas man has been fired from a board that advises minority- and women-owned businesses after colleagues said they heard him call a female coworker a “c**ch.”
Christopher Forbrich was removed from the Bexar County Minority and Women-Owned Small Business Board on Tuesday. Physical Fitness Test (KSAT) reported.
Two of his colleagues claimed he used the misogynistic slur about County Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores on July 10.
“My initial reaction is that I have experienced sexism and racism as the only woman on this court and as the first woman of color,” Clay-Flores told KSAT.
The slur was allegedly uttered by Forbrich the day after a heated meeting in which Clay-Flores had proposed reducing the size of the advisory board by eliminating Forbrich’s position.
Chris Forbrich has been fired from his job on a board that advises women- and minority-owned businesses after colleagues claimed to have heard him call a female coworker a “c**t.”
Forbrich said he is not sure if he used the term and said he could not remember what was said.
“I don’t remember using that word,” Forbrich said. “I remember he was upset, and I think when you’re upset, you make sudden statements. I don’t remember the exact language.”
‘I had a private discussion with a friend that I believe was overheard and mischaracterized publicly in a political attempt to crush my resistance to her re-election.’
One of the alleged witnesses, Edward Pape, filed a written complaint with Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai, saying the slur was also heard by his fellow board member, Marinella Murillo.
‘After passing through the security portal, Mr. Forbrich immediately approached us and without any introduction began directing his comments to Ms. Murillo and stated the following (with my apologies for the language),’ the letter states.
– “Did you hear what that crusading bastard tried to do to me last night?” This was obviously in reference to the topic we had been discussing regarding Commissioner Clay-Flores’ effort.
Two colleagues claimed he used the misogynistic slur about County Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores (pictured) on July 10.
Forbrich said he is not sure if he used the term and said he could not remember what was said.
Pape explained that after “recovering from the shock and the behavior” he witnessed, he took Murillo aside to check if he had heard correctly.
“She responded affirmatively and stated that this was not the first time she had been subjected to such behavior and language,” the letter states.
Pape went on to say that a third colleague also confirmed that he had heard the comments and that it was not the first time Forbrich had behaved in such a manner.
“As a professional, as a gentleman and, ultimately, as a man, I cannot in good conscience sit back and participate in a forum where that kind of behavior is tolerated,” Pape added.
The third colleague, Renee Watson, also submitted her own letter confirming the details of the incident and denouncing the “rude and slanderous” comments.
Forbrich was removed from the board following a review of the complaints.