Former US Navy Captain Apologizes For Using Racial Slurs During Facebook Live Stream

KEY POINTS

Former U.S. Navy Capt. Scott Bethmann and his wife were heard during a Facebook livestream using several racial slurs while discussing the Black Lives Matter protests and general state of the world
Bethmann said he didn't realize he was livestreaming at the time and issued a public apology for the racial slurs
Bethmann resigned his positions as part of the Jacksonville chapter of the Naval Academy Alumni Association

A retired U.S. Navy captain issued an apology Monday after he was caught on a Facebook live stream using several racial slurs in a conversation with his wife.

Scott Bethmann, a former captain who resides in Florida, accidentally started a Facebook live stream last week that lasted for nearly 30 minutes. While the original video and Bethmann’s own Facebook account have been deleted, details of the conversation were shared online by WJXT, a Jacksonville television station.

Bethmann is heard speaking with his wife, Nancy, about the Black Lives Matter protest in the wake of George Floyd’s death.

Bethmann is heard using the N-word and also said "The white m*****f*****s can't say anything." He added his opinion about statements put out by companies showing support to the protests.

“We support. We support. Every single company has put their word out,” Scott Bethmann says. “I’ve gotten an email about how, we’re supporting and we need to fix this problem. F*** you.”

The two continue talking about it, at several points using racial slurs when discussing the protests. Nancy Bethmann is heard at one point complaining about “f*** Asians from China” over the alleged theft of intellectual properties from the U.S.

“There are no words that can appropriately express how mortified and apologetic my wife and I are about the insensitive things we said that were captured on social media. There is never a time when it is appropriate to use derogatory terms when speaking about our fellow man," Scott Bethmann said in a public apology.

“I know that an apology from us rings hollow on many ears in our community, especially in the current environment. We intend on using this experience as an opportunity to grow, listen, learn, and reflect.

“We are deeply sorry for the impact our actions have had on the Naval Academy, my fellow servicemen and women, our former colleagues, friends, family, and the community as a whole. We are committed to educating ourselves more on the racial inequalities in this country and being better people.”

Bethmann has also resigned his position as chapter treasurer and national trustee at the Jacksonville chapter of the Naval Academy Alumni Association. The association released a statement on its Facebook page Saturday.