News 12 CT Fires Sports Reporter Over Racially Insensitive Remark

NORWALK, CT — Veteran sports reporter Fred Gerteiny was fired by News 12 Connecticut this week following his posting of a since-deleted, racially insensitive tweet about South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott.

Gerteiny, who is white, posted "Thanks Uncle Tom" on a story by The Hill in which Scott was quoted that President Donald Trump might have "misspoken" when he seemingly supported the Proud Boys during Tuesday's debate with former Vice President Joe Biden.

Scott, who is Black, went on to say that the president should "correct" his comments about the white supremacist organization.

Norwalk-based News 12 Connecticut announced Gerteiny's dismissal in a brief statemen Wednesday.

"After reviewing the incident, the network released sports reporter, Fred Gerteiny, as a result of a racially insensitive comment," officials at News 12 Networks wrote. "News 12 Networks has a zero tolerance policy for racism or improper conduct based on race, and prides itself on being an objective and unbiased multi-platform news company."

Patch reached out for comment to Gerteiny, a Fairfield resident, but did not immediately receive a reply. His Twitter account is no longer active.

The Daily Caller posted a since-deleted apology tweet from Gerteiny: "Earlier today, I tweeted a racially insensitive comment, when I referred to @SenatorTimScott as an 'Uncle Tom.' I apologize to the Senator, my colleagues @News12CT, and anyone else I may have offended with this deeply offensive tweet."