Connect with us

Florida

Florida Porsche dealership co-owner resigns over antisemitic text to customer: report

Published

on

Florida Porsche dealership co-owner resigns over antisemitic text to customer: report


A co-owner of a luxury car dealership in Florida is reportedly resigning after he allegedly made an antisemitic remark in a text to a customer. 

“I had my Porsche rep contact the factory to secure a spot at the paint to sample line for a special color before I had someone contact you,” Pompano Beach Champion Motorsports/Champion Porsche co-owner Naveen Maraj allegedly wrote to a potential customer recently.

Advertisement

Maraj allegedly sent the text after a customer said he was going to a different dealer, according to a screenshot from BocaNewsNow.com. 

ADL ISSUES ‘URGENT CALL’ ALLEGING ANTI-ISRAEL BIAS IN 4 AI LARGE LANGUAGE MODELS

“But as usual you behave like a spoiled Jew c— who thinks you’re special but you’re not. You not buying a car from me is like a gift from god.” 

“This shocking display of antisemitism has no place in business and we urge clients to shop elsewhere,” StopAntiSemitism wrote on X Saturday morning.

FOX Business has reached out to the Anti-Defamation League for comment. 

Advertisement

A co-owner of a luxury car dealership in Florida is reportedly resigning after he made an antisemitic remark in a text to a customer.  (Google Maps / Google Maps)

Champion General Manager Mike Peters told BocaNewsNow.com, which first reported on the incident, “At Champion, we are firmly committed to fostering an environment rooted in respect, professionalism and integrity. Incidents like this remind us of the importance of these values, and we will use this moment as an opportunity to reinforce them — both internally and in our broader relationships. 

“In furtherance of those standards, Naveen Maraj has advised that he will resign from his employment with Champion and will step down from his managerial and leadership roles with the company effective immediately.”

FOX Business has reached out to Champion for comment. 

Elsewhere in the lengthy statement, Peters called Maraj’s comments “offensive and inexcusable” but said Maraj and the customer, John Wolff, have a personal friendship, and the “comment was not made with the intent to harm.”

Advertisement

“Notwithstanding, we recognize that intent does not negate impact,” he added. “The language used was inappropriate and does not reflect the standards of conduct or mutual respect that has been a part of the Champion culture for over 38 years.”

The co-owner called the potential customer a “spoiled Jew c—.”  (Getty / Getty Images)

ADL FINDS JEWISH JOBSEEKERS FACE SIGNIFICANT DISCRIMINATION IN US LABOR MARKET AHEAD OF NEW TRUMP ADMIN

“By way of background, Mr. Wolff and Mr. Naveen Maraj have maintained a close personal friendship for more than 14 years,” Peters elaborated. “Over that time, they became avid fishing partners and became what Naveen believed to be a close friend. That friendship included a degree of casual banter and familiarity that, while understood privately, can easily be misinterpreted — or become wholly inappropriate — when viewed outside of that context. 

“The remark in question was made in a personal capacity and was entirely unrelated to Mr. Maraj’s role or responsibilities at Champion. It was a moment of misplaced informality between friends, not a deliberate attempt to offend or cause harm.”

Advertisement

Protesters marching against antisemitism in 2023.  (Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Wolff told BocaNewsNow.com he and Maraj hadn’t spoken in six years and called it absurd that it would be acceptable within their friendship to call him a “Jew c—.” 

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

Peters in the statement acknowledged that “words carry weight, regardless of context or intent. We deeply regret any discomfort, concern or confusion this incident may have caused. Mr. Maraj has personally expressed his remorse and apology to Mr. Wolff.”



Source link

Advertisement

Florida

Rainy stretch continues in South Florida

Published

on

Rainy stretch continues in South Florida


South Florida is experiencing a prolonged stretch of wet weather as deep tropical moisture combines with a stalled frontal boundary across the region.

The result has been frequent showers, thunderstorms, periods of heavy rainfall, and localized flooding concerns from Broward to Miami-Dade and throughout the Keys.

The atmosphere is loaded with moisture, allowing storms to produce intense downpours in a short amount of time.

Some neighborhoods have already seen several inches of rain, with additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms expected through the end of the week.

Advertisement

Flood-prone streets and poor drainage areas remain especially vulnerable during the heaviest rainfall.

While the rain is helping ease drought conditions, it is also increasing the risk of flash flooding and travel delays.

South Florida is two weeks into its rainy season, when abundant heat and humidity combine to generate daily rounds of showers and thunderstorms.

Heavy rainfall, frequent lightning, and gusty winds are common features of this time of year.

The good news? Drier air will gradually filter into parts of the region heading into the weekend, allowing rain chances to slightly decrease. Until then, keep the umbrella handy and be prepared for sudden tropical downpours.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Florida

Man accused of kidnapping woman at Wawa in Central Florida

Published

on

Man accused of kidnapping woman at Wawa in Central Florida


NEWS


A man is in custody after deputies said he tried to kidnap a woman at a Wawa near Winter park. Per investigators, Matthew Seaberg approached the victim from behind, picked her up by the waist, and threw her into his truck.



Source link

Continue Reading

Florida

Jury selection continues in fatal boat crash trial of South Florida real estate mogul George Pino

Published

on

Jury selection continues in fatal boat crash trial of South Florida real estate mogul George Pino


MIAMI — A new group of prospective jurors was questioned Tuesday in the trial of South Florida real estate mogul George Pino, who is charged in connection with a 2022 boat crash that killed a teenager in Miami-Dade County.

Leer en español

During jury selection in a Miami-Dade courtroom, Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez asked potential jurors what they already knew about the case and whether they had recently seen or heard anything about it.

Several prospective jurors said they knew only basic details, including that a fatal boating crash occurred and that a teenage girl died. Others said they recalled media reports that alcohol may have been involved.

Advertisement

As questioning continued, some prospective jurors disclosed connections to schools and communities tied to the case.

Passengers aboard Pino’s boat included his wife, his teenage daughter and 11 of her friends, many of whom attended private schools in Miami-Dade County.

One prospective juror said they graduated from a local private school around the time of the crash and were familiar with some of the students involved.

Another said references to schools and witnesses brought back memories of seeing posts and articles about the incident shared on social media.

A third said their child participates in youth sports with students from schools connected to the case.

Advertisement

Investigators said the boat struck a channel marker while returning from an outing on Biscayne Bay. Seventeen-year-old Lourdes Academy student Lucy Fernandez drowned after the crash.

Tinkler Mendez also addressed concerns that a prospective juror had been viewing a news report about the case on a cellphone while waiting outside the courtroom.

Another prospective juror reported hearing the report but said it was not loud enough for everyone in the area to hear.

Tinkler Mendez reminded prospective jurors to avoid news coverage and social media discussions related to the case as jury selection continues.

Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.





Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending