KARMA

Florida Lawmaker Punished for Racist Comments

State Sen. Frank Artiles says he’s sorry.

Florida GOP State Sen. Frank Artiles apologized Wednesday for using a racist slur during a tirade at a club with other lawmakers this week. “I stand up before all of you, every one of you, and with great humility, I ask for your forgiveness,” Artiles said. Before the apology, Artiles, who is Cuban American, was also stripped of a committee chairmanship. Artiles had reportedly made obscene comments toward Sen. Audrey Gibson, in particular. He kept calling her “this fucking asshole” and “this bitch,” according to reports. He had also remarked that another lawmaker rose to power only because “six n------” in the Republican caucus elected him. Artiles said in a statement that he “unfortunately let my temper get the best of me” during the exchange. “There is no excuse for the exchange that occurred and I have apologized to my senate colleagues and regret the incident profusely,” he added.