WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & SportsTenn. Hospitality Association fires CEO for e-mail
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Associated Press - March 8, 2010 7:45 PM ET
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The political fallout is continuing for a man who, as CEO of the Tennessee Hospitality Association, sent out an e-mail comparing first lady Michelle Obama to a chimpanzee.
On Monday, the association's board voted unanimously to terminate its contract with Walt Baker.
Baker did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
Association board president Bill Mish says Baker's e-mail does not reflect the group.
"We all take great offense to it," Mish said of the e-mail.
Baker sent the e-mail from a private account on Thursday to a number of prominent Nashvillians.
By Saturday, the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau pulled its contract with his marketing firm, Mercatus Communications.
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