TD Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts has apologized after an online media outlet published emails in which he took part in racist comments and conspiracy theories.
Some of the emails Splinter News published Monday featured Joe Ricketts making Islamophobic comments, such as "Islam is a cult and not a religion." Others included conspiracies about former President Barack Obama's birthplace and education.
Ricketts, who founded TD Ameritrade, apologized for the emails in a statement on Tuesday. “I deeply regret and apologize for some of the exchanges I had in my emails. Sometimes I received emails that I should have condemned. Other times I’ve said things that don’t reflect my value system. I strongly believe that bigoted ideas are wrong.”
The Ricketts family owns the Chicago Cubs. Chairman Tom Ricketts issued a separate statement saying his father's emails don't reflect the values of the Cubs and highlighting that his father isn't involved in the Cubs' operations.
Joe Ricketts sold 34 million shares of TD Ameritrade to help purchase the Cubs in 2009.