Business

CEO of housing corp KB Home won’t be sacked for homophobic rant about Kathy Griffin

Sep 22 2017
Written by Nick Duffy

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

A CEO who was caught on tape in a threatening homophobic rant will keep his job.

Jeffrey Mezger, the CEO of US homebuilding company KB Home, was caught on tape hurling homophobic abuse at comedian Kathy Griffin this week.

Security cameras at Griffin’s house, next door to Mezger’s in a gated LA community, captured a confrontation between Mezger, Griffin and Griffin’s boyfriend Randy.

In the clip, Mezger branded Griffin a “fucking bald dyke” and a “c**t” after she reported him to the police for a noise complaint.

Griffin shaved her head in July to support her sister, Joyce, who was undergoing chemotherapy treatments. Joyce Griffin died last week.

Kathy Griffin shaves her head (Twitter/Yashar) — Kathy Griffin shaved her head

In the wake of the revelations, KB Home’s Board today insisted that it has “full and complete confidence” in Mezger.

The board filed an official warning against Mezger, warning that “if in the future there is any similar incident, he will be dismissed”.

However, he will be able to keep his job. The board added that his bonus, rumoured to be upwards of $100,000, will be slashed by just 25 percent this year.

The Board of KB Homes said: “Jeffrey Mezger has always conducted himself in a professional manner during his tenure at KB Home. He has been a very effective CEO and a great leader for the Company.

“Mr. Mezger has the full and complete confidence of the Board.

“However, Mr. Mezger’s recent behavior in his personal dealings with a neighbor is unacceptable and a negative reflection on KB Home. As a result, the Board has decided to take the following actions:

“Mr. Mezger’s bonus payment for the current year shall be reduced by 25 percent.

“The Board has informed Mr. Mezger that if in the future there is any similar incident, he will be dismissed.”

A spokesperson for Mezger said previously: “Mr Mezger regrets losing his temper over a supposed noise complaint involving his three young grandchildren in his swimming pool around 8pm.

“He apologises for the language he used, as it does not reflect who he is or what he believes.”