Catheter-manufacturer Vante Inc. fired CFO & treasurer Adam Smith after he filmed himself "bullying" an employee at Chik-fil-A over the company’s open stance against gay marriage.
Smith captured himself on video as he passed through the drive-through line at the fast food restaurant. He asked for nothing but a cup of water in an attempt to take some small amount of money away from the company.
"People have to have their Chik-fil-A anti-gay breakfast sandwich," Smith said as he waited in line behind another car. "Always tastes better when it’s full of hate."
When he reached the window to accept his cup of water, Smith explained to the young woman working the drive-through that he was there in protest, and urged her to "take a stand" against the company.
"I don’t know how you live with yourself and work here," Smith said. "This is a horrible corporation with horrible values."
"I’m a nice guy by the way and I’m totally heterosexual," he said before driving away. "Just can’t stand the hate."
Vante fired Smith shortly after the video went viral online.
"The actions of Mr Smith do not reflect our corporate values in any manner," according to an issued statement. "Vante is an equal opportunity company with a diverse workforce, which holds diverse opinions. We respect the right of our employees and all Americans to hold and express their personal opinions, however, we also expect our company officers to behave in a manner commensurate with their position and in a respectful fashion that conveys these values of civility with others."
"We hope that the general population does not hold Mr. Smith’s actions against Vante and its employees," the company added.
Smith later posted a video apology, apologizing to the young Chik-fil-A employee he berated and confirming that he’d lost his job.
