Chairman confronts man who recorded racist comments

The embattled chairman of Douglas County chose a political forum to confront a man who secretly recorded him making racist comments about black candidates.

The event was organized by the Junior League of Douglas County. Three-term chairman Tom Worthan faces Democratic challenger Romona Jackson-Jones.

Last month, a FOX 5 I-Team investigation aired a recording of Worthan talking to a man he thought was supporting him. Instead, Mark Dodd supported the chairman's opponent and another black Democrat, sheriff's candidate Tim Pounds. Dodd secretly recorded their conversation. The video shows Worthan predicting they'd have to move if two black candidates win their races because counties with black majority leadership "go bankrupt." He also confided that he couldn't support Pounds because he was worried Pounds would "put his black brothers in positions that they're not qualified to be in."

Worthan has repeatedly apologized, said he was baited and only made those remarks "to get a vote."

He and Jackson-Jones spelled out their positions to the 300 voters in the crowd. Near the end, an audience member submitted a question for Worthan, asking what steps he would take to rectify the damage he's caused to minorities in Douglas County.

The chairman said his friends have been helpful and he was so impressed with "how kind and forgiving" Douglas County has been.

Then Worthan spotted Mark Dodd in the crowd. He demanded that Dodd stand up and explain why he baited him. Dodd rose to respond as the crowd started to cheer and laugh.

Worthan then told the moderator he would leave the room if it was not brought under control.

The moderator told Dodd to sit down, but he only did after sheriff candidate Pounds yelled at him from the front of the room.

Early voting begins Monday.