Hollywood Talent Agent Apologizes Again After Using ‘Nazi Death Camp’ Joke in First Apology for Derogatory Emails
by Shiryn Ghermezian
A Hollywood talent agent has issued a second apology after texting an ex-employee a joke about Nazi concentration camps last week, expressing regret for sexist, homophobic and antisemitic language he used in an email rant.
Michael Einfeld emailed an apology to “friends, colleagues and clients” for using “language that was tasteless, humorless and completely inexcusable” in emails with his staff and text messages with his former assistant Rosette Laursen, who posted screenshots of the messages on her Facebook page.
In an email allegedly sent by Einfeld to the entire staff — which Rosette claims was intended for only two male coworkers but accidentally sent to the whole office — she was labeled an “uppity selfish c–t” for requesting a day off in honor of the A Day Without A Woman protest in March. Einfeld suggested in the same email that “someone should sew her vagina shut” and said, “I’m never hiring a girl ever again.”
He added: “No bonus for anyone that strikes or leaves early in pilot season. No one is striking in show business we are all against Trump. And women are considered diverse and being shoved in as writer and directors. Zach who is a Jewish male is being pushed out.”
After realizing his emails had reached the entire team, Einfeld — who Laursen claims is gay — texted her. “I apologize for venting like a masagonistic faggit [sic]. If you come back we can play Nazi death camp. You can beat me and put me in the oven or feed me cabbage and lock me in the shower.”
Laursen responded to the text by telling Einfeld she had quit. She explained on Facebook that one of her male coworkers encouraged her to reconsider saying, “It was just a joke,” but she was not amused. She wrote on Facebook, “Many Hollywood assistants are underpaid and overworked, yet we are more than willing to do everything it takes to pay our dues to reach our goals and dreams. But in return there needs to be a basic level of respect from our bosses. Nothing fancy, just human decency.”
In an email apology to friends, clients and staff following Laursen’s Facebook post, Einfeld also said he would “be taking some obviously needed introspection” and was “heartbroken,” but understood if some people felt they needed to keep a distance from him.
“Again, to everyone — I am sorry. If this is something you are willing to hear from me in person please call, or send me a note and I’ll call you. I am devastated, and hope in time you will consider giving me the chance to earn your forgiveness,” he concluded.