Former Democrat-Reporter editor-in-chief Goodloe Sutton is no longer affiliated with the newspaper after writing in February that the Ku Klux Klan “needs to ride again,” according to Thursday’s edition.
“It’s mine now. I have a bill of sale and everything,” Tommy Wells, the new owner and operator of the controversial local paper in Alabama, said, according to the Associated Press.
“He doesn’t even have a key anymore,” Wells said of Sutton.
In February, Sutton announced he was stepping down from his role at the paper and was succeeded by 46-year-old African-American Elecia R. Dexter. However, by March, Dexter announced she was stepping down as editor-in-chief. Sutton had been trying to sell the paper for years, the AP reported.
Sutton was censured by the Alabama Press Association for the editorial, which stated: “Time for the Ku Klux Klan to night ride again.
“Seems like the Klan would be welcome to raid the gated communities [in Washington]. They call them compounds now. Truly they are the ruling class,” it continued.
At the time, local politicians Rep. Terri Sewell and Sen. Doug Jones called for Sutton to resign.