Lisa Vanderpump explains the reason why she didn't fire Vanderpump Rules newest cast members Brett Caprioni and Max Boyens after their past offensive and racist tweets resurfaced on social media.
“It was very disappointing and upsetting when I heard these remarks from two of my staff,” Lisa told The Daily Mail. “I took these two young people to task.”
Lisa revealed that she immediately launched an investigation within her company into the troubling tweets and was ultimately assured by other staff members that those comments do not represent the people they are today.
“You know me, I never like to give up on people,” LVP explained. “I did a thorough investigation with people from our restaurants.”
“I’ve never heard one iota of anything like [the Tweets]. This is not who they are now. The staff assured me that they had heard nothing.”
In light of the results of the investigation, Lisa, Max and Brett came to the mutual decision that the employees would take a leave of absence and spend their time away from work striving to better themselves.
“It was something irresponsible that they said at 19 or 20 and they've shown utter remorse and regret,” Vanderpump said. “We agreed on a mutual leave of absence.”
“It was decided that they take a sensitivity course and work closely with Covenant House so they have a better understanding of the damage that those kinds of words and sentiments can do.”
Covenant House is a charity that Lisa has worked with over the years. The organization provides shelter, food and crisis care to homeless and runaway youth.
“We live in a world where we need to be cognizant and understand gravity and seriousness [of what we say,]” Vanderpump told The Daily Mail. “I hope working with Covenant House will bode them well.”
Lisa also responded to the fans who are demanding that she fire Brett and Max over their past tweets. “You can't legally fire someone who has worked for you for a year for something they wrote social media nine years ago.”
Caprioni and Boyens made headlines after social media users started sharing screenshots of their offensive tweets from 2011 and 2012, which included homophobic, sexist and racist tweets. Caprioni and Boyens have since publically apologized.
Brett and Max's boss, Lisa Vanderpump came to their defense after their past tweets resurfaced.
“I do not condone any of the heinous comments made in the past by Max and Brett and I am glad they understand the severity of their offenses and have shown utmost remorse and contrition,” she said in a statement to Us Weekly. “I embrace a community of diversity and do not tolerate bigotry of any form within my workplace.”
Vanderpump added that both Boyens and Caprioni are “appropriately ashamed of their past obnoxious teenage arrogance and casual use of unacceptable terms.”
LVP concluded: “While both have now matured as adults, they have shown remorse for their prior reckless defamatory statements. I do sincerely believe both have learned the power and impact words can have, and I have every hope this will be a lifelong lesson for them as we move into this new decade.”
Photo Credit: Bravo
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