Former Gang Member was Fired As A Car Salesman When A Positive News Story About Overcoming His Past Got Back To His Boss

Syracuse.com- On Monday, Quante Wright went to work at Lowery Brothers Chrysler Jeep. He sold a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. Then he was fired.

Wright was let go a day after he was featured in a story about the barriers he's faced on his path from prison to college graduation and beyond.

Steve Spector is the manager at the car dealership who hired and fired Wright. He said he hired Wright based on an interview with him and his resume. He did not ask Wright if he had any criminal convictions during that interview and Wright didn't offer up the information, Spector said.

Spector said Wright had been hired and was working there for about a day before Spector had him fill out an application form. That form asks if the person has any criminal convictions. Wright checked yes and wrote what he had been convicted of.

Spector said he became aware that Wright had a criminal past and that he was living in halfway house after Wright filled out the form. But Spector said he didn't know much about the nature of Wright's crimes until he read the Syracuse.com story.

"There is so much stigma that attaches to a criminal record, so much stereotyping of people who have records that it's so hard for them to really get a second chance," Weissman said. "I really do hope that as a community we step up and really give him the second chance that he seems to be working so hard to get."



So wait, this guy just got fired from his job as a car salesman for omitting some facts about himself during the interview? I was expecting a promotion. If there a career that it can benefit you to have questionable morals it is selling cars. If a former gang member that used to dabble in attempted murder and drug dealing can sell himself than he can sell a fucking Jeep Cherokee. If you can push rock, you can hustle Wranglers, as I always say. Since when did being ambiguous ethically count against you in car sales? That should have been the first line of his resume, "I will literally do anything to make a sale". Who cares if the new guy on the floor used to run in a bad crowd?  He's obviously changed his life around, or at least enough to get Syracuse.com to write an entire piece on him. Even is he hasn't changed, the fact that he was able to trick a reputable news source into thinking he has can only stands to serve as a good omen in his career path. Would you bet against the guy unloading last year's model for this years price? I know I wouldn't. The ability to put on a warm, inviting face might be new for him, but the ability to deceive is one that has been running though his blood since he was running the streets. You don't forget how to manipulate people and that's literally all that being a salesman requires.

That conniving sense of trickery only comes around so often. You've got to lock it long term when it does, not put him back on the market when his value is at it's highest. One would think a business owner would know a little bit more about supply and demand. This dealership just invited bad publicity and gave an ex-employee a chance to find a better job. What other dealerships wouldn't be lining up to hire an ex-con with a good reputation? A feel good, success story just got fired for being a feel good, success story. That's an absolute no-brainer of a hire. Nothing draws in the customers like a happy ending. Enjoy the blue balls Mr. Spector. 

Afion, that's my step brother's name...