California “hospitality ambassador” charged with beating homeless man

A man has been fired from his job as a “hospitality ambassador” in Berkeley after video surfaced that appears to show him beating up a homeless man.

Berkeley’s ambassador program is coordinated through the Downtown Berkeley Association, a non-profit group.

Downtown Berkeley Association CEO John Caner apologized for the incident and said the man was fired Thursday after a video of the beating was posted online.

He said a second “hospitality ambassador” who witnessed the beating and did nothing to stop it has been suspended.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports the homeless man who was assaulted was later arrested by police on suspicion of assault and making criminal threats based on a report by the ambassadors.

The ambassadors’ purpose is to create a more welcoming environment for residents and visitors.