Schnatter fights Papa John's advice during his departure

John Schnatter, the founder of Papa John's International who resigned from his position as chairman of his board of directors as a result of reports of racist language that he used when he died. 39, a conference call, will not fight without a fight.

a letter to the council this weekend pointing out that he had been unjustly asked to resign from his presidential post, that his comments had been "poorly characterized" in press articles, and that all of the case had begun when he had refused to work with Kanye West Schnatter resigned last week as chairman of Papa John's after Forbes said that he was using the n-word and spoke in graphic terms about the lynchings during a conference call in May. Papa John also drew Schnatter's image from his logo, TV commercials and other marketing to distance himself from his founder.

The comments came during what Schnatter was calling in his letter a diversity training session with Laundry Service, a marketing agency. "During and after this meeting, laundry executives strongly urged Kayne West to be co-spokeswoman for TV spots and other promotions," wrote Schnatter

"I told them that would not work. "N & # 39; word in his words," said Schnatter in the letter, which was first reported by CNBC. "During this training on the various media, which covered a lot of topics, I was asked if I was racist." I have, of course, said no – this is a truthful statement like those of you who know me well will testify. "

After members of the advertising agency asked Schnatter for controversial comments he made about the owners of NFL. As CEO of the company last year, Schnatter explained that he never used the n-word. But in defending himself, he apparently used that very word

"I then said something in the order of, Colonel Sanders used the word" N "(I used the word, actually) that I would never use that word and Daddy John does not use that word, "Schnatter wrote. But he claims that he never considered it a racial epithet.

Schnatter also claimed that the laundry service had asked Papa John's $ 6 million – more than four times what Schnatter had told them – because some of her staff had been offended by his comments. In the end, the company "gave in to this attempt at extortion" and paid them $ 2.5 million

Papa John's and Laundry Service did not respond to Fortune's requests for comment.

Schnatter also hired his attorney Patricia Glaser, a business trial attorney who has represented a number of corporations and celebrities, including Harvey Weinstein in his legal battle against the company that he has founded, Weinstein & Co.

Glaser, also sent a letter to the board of directors of Papa John Schnatter had been unduly dismissed as chairman last week. Glaser argued that Delaware law requires directors to be dismissed following a shareholder vote, which Papa John did not hold until he was fired.

Glaser also blamed the board for failing to conduct an independent investigation. had urged. In other words, Mr. Schnatter's conduct and recommendations were strongly in the interest of the Corporation. "Glaser writes: [TRADUCTION]

Yesterday, the board of directors of Papa John terminated an office lease, effectively dismissing Schnatter from his office at the company's head office. A number of sports teams and other organizations have also decided to suspend their marketing campaigns with the company.