The Director of Recreation and Golf Services for the City of Coronado is under fire after an online video accusing him of a racist interaction that allegedly took place at a Southern California mall over the weekend is going viral.
"My girlfriend and I were just shopping around Fashion Island in Newport when a couple walks by us, makes eye contact with looks us, and say 'oooh COVID is gonna get you,' 'those Chinese spreading COVID,' and continuously talks between them but purposely loud enough for us to hear the racial slurs and comments," explained the alleged victim who wishes to remain anonymous. "Then they loudly blurt out racial commentaries as about another Asian couple and baby walk by. As we walk behind them, the couple continues to be racist saying 'go back to China,' 'stop spreading COVID,' 'oooh look at me touching the stair railing I’m gonna die from all the germs,' 'I’m glad we’re not communist,' 'those Chinese.' When we confronted them, they saw no fault in their actions and instead proudly and continuously blurt out racial commentaries attacking us."A video posted on TikTok by account @warmsocks01, then modified and shared via Twitter by user @thatdaneshguy, with over 40,000 views at the time of publishing, alleges that City of Coronado Director of Recreation and Golf Services Roger Miller and his female companion directed racist remarks toward a couple at Fashion Island mall in Newport, CA. The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday, January 29.
This isn't the first time Coronado's Golf Services Director has made headlines. In 2018, San Diego Reader published an article accusing Miller of improprieties in his position overseeing the Coronado Municipal Golf Course. Following the publishing of this article, the City of Coronado City Manager issued a statement:
"The City became aware of a recording of a City employee and alleged comments made," reads a statement posted by Tina Friend, Coronado City Manager. "The City took immediate action to look into this report. As this is a personnel matter, I cannot discuss specifics at this point. This is a serious matter and I am taking appropriate action. The City of Coronado is a welcoming place for all."
Below are photos of the alleged perpetrators from the viral video over a photo of Roger Miller and his wife Sandie from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America San Diego Chapter 2019 Halloween Party.
Following the publishing of this article, many media outlets picked up this story, and Roger Miller was put on administrative leave by the City of Coronado and Sandie Miller was terminated from her employment at Linfield Christian School.
