After years of smiling politely for the camera, Penticton香蕉视频直播檚 Santa Claus decided to get a little naughty in a couple recent photos he took 香蕉视频直播� which ended up costing him his job.
Gary Haupt, known to many as the city香蕉视频直播檚 Santa Claus with his cheerful smile and white beard, was supposed to work this Christmas season at Cherry Lane Shopping Centre starting on Nov. 30. However, a complaint about photos he shared on his personal Facebook page has resulted in his termination.
One photo taken in his home shows Santa reaching down to grab VIP Mobile Spa owner Michelle Prystay香蕉视频直播檚 breasts as she is sitting and smiling.
香蕉视频直播淢ichelle is in and out of our house all the time. So she香蕉视频直播檚 there doing the nails, so I go and put my tunic jacket on and come out and Sharon (my partner) grabs the camera and we take a few pictures,香蕉视频直播� said Haupt, adding the photo was taken in jest.
香蕉视频直播淧art of this is my naivety because I thought this was really funny, and Michelle and Santa are well-known around town so I put them on Facebook because I thought it was something people weren香蕉视频直播檛 going to get anxious about.香蕉视频直播�
The second photo depicts Haupt as Santa, leaning back into a woman香蕉视频直播檚 arms as he pretends to take a swig from a metal flask. Haupt said this was taken at the Shatford Centre during a recent Christmas market at the woman香蕉视频直播檚 request.
香蕉视频直播淪he walks up and said she wanted a photo with Santa apparently drinking out of a flask and sort of laying back in her arms,香蕉视频直播� said Haupt. 香蕉视频直播淪o I said sure, I香蕉视频直播檒l do that. Why would I not? So I thought that was pretty funny and posted that as well. So those are the two pictures that everybody is all wound up about.香蕉视频直播�
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Haupt said someone saw the photos on his profile and sent a complaint to the management of Cherry Lane. He added that he has no qualms with the person who complained, since it香蕉视频直播檚 their right to do so, but he believes the mall should have shown leadership, instead of terminating his contract.
香蕉视频直播淲hat I do on my time has nothing to do with (the mall). Somebody took exception to it and spoke to someone with the mall,香蕉视频直播� said Haupt. 香蕉视频直播淚 think from there it went to the owners, and the decision was made to terminate me on Nov. 27.
香蕉视频直播淚 told them that this has nothing to do with you folks. But that didn香蕉视频直播檛 matter. They had received their instructions and that香蕉视频直播檚 what it was.香蕉视频直播�
Haupt has a long history of playing the part as Santa, both professionally and in his personal life. He said he is now fearful that the other jobs he had lined up this holiday season may follow suit after Cherry Lane香蕉视频直播檚 decision.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 Santa, I香蕉视频直播檝e been him for years 香蕉视频直播� It香蕉视频直播檚 not just a four-week gig at the mall. Being Santa is a full-time occupation because people make it so,香蕉视频直播� said Haupt.
香蕉视频直播淚 have children come up to me multiple times a year and ask 香蕉视频直播楢re you Santa?香蕉视频直播� like I have lived this as my life. It香蕉视频直播檚 one of the things that I do and I香蕉视频直播檓 really good at it. It香蕉视频直播檚 not just put on the suit and become the character.香蕉视频直播�
When asked if he still stands by the crude photos, Haupt said he absolutely does and that, while social media may have led to him losing his position, it also led to an outpouring of support for him as the beloved Kris Kringle.
To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.
<>Jordyn Thomson | Reporter
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