UCLA DEI Director Faces Scrutiny Over Past Hoax and Recent Controversial Remarks

Johnathan Perkins, currently serving as UCLA's Director of Identity and Inclusion, is under intense scrutiny following the resurfacing of a 2011 hate crime hoax at the University of Virginia (UVA) and recent social media posts where he reportedly expressed controversial sentiments. The allegations, highlighted by commentator Andy Ngo, have sparked widespread debate regarding Perkins' suitability for his current role.

In 2011, while a first-year student at UVA, Perkins reported being the victim of a hate crime, claiming he was assaulted by two men who used homophobic and racial slurs. He later admitted to fabricating the incident and subsequently withdrew from the university, though he was not criminally charged. According to Andy Ngo's tweet, Perkins "later admitted it was hoax when he was threatened with being charged for making a false statement to law enforcement. After waiting for the statute of limitations to pass, he recanted his hoax admission."

More recently, Perkins has drawn criticism for social media activity, including posts where he allegedly "celebrated Charlie Kirk’s assassination and had also wished death upon Justice Clarence Thomas," as stated by Ngo. These remarks have ignited further outrage, particularly given Perkins' position overseeing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at a prominent academic institution.

UCLA has not yet issued a public statement regarding the allegations or the ongoing controversy surrounding its Director of Identity and Inclusion. The re-emergence of Perkins' past and his recent online conduct has prompted questions from various groups, including alumni and conservative commentators. Andy Ngo concluded his tweet by stating, "Perkins makes me ashamed to be a UCLA alumnus."