Attorney slammed for mocking Orange County Asians on Facebook

An Irvine attorney who describes herself as the top law school tutor in the United States has been the target of blistering criticism for an incendiary Facebook post mocking Orange County Asians.

Christina Ignatius, who owns Law School Tutor and claims to have been involved in multimillion-dollar business and real estate deals, compared the county’s Asian population to the cast of the hit movie “Crazy Rich Asians.”

“It reminds me of all of the Asians who flooded into Orange County and then took over our mall at South Coast Plaza,” she said in a post on her Facebook page. “In fact, they came up with a shopping word called “snoshy,” it stands for posh and snobby. They have a zoned-in personality where they act as if no one else exists and they just run straight in front of you to grab the next purse.”

The post — widely disseminated on the Asian-American news site nextshark.com — has been removed, but screenshots circulated Friday on Facebook are drawing outrage.

“I read your super racist post. I would tell you to go to hell … but, kind of redundant,” one person wrote on Ignatius’ Facebook page.

Ignatius is a graduate of Chapman University’s Fowler School of Law.  Her post was shared briefly on the school’s alumni Facebook page until it was removed.

“The statement made by the alumna is regrettable, and certainly not consistent with the values and beliefs we hold at Chapman University,” said Jamie S. Ceman, a university spokeswoman.

Ignatius did not return phone calls or emails seeking comment about the post, which also takes aim at Asian students she tutors.

“They are trying to get tutoring from me for law school,” the post says. “They keep telling me they are attending UCRA. I need to translate that in my head to deduce they are going to UCLA.”

One of Ignatius’ Facebook friends, who is also in the legal profession and asked not to be identified, said the post is stunning.

“To have that mentality is just shocking,” the individual said.  “She hasn’t even apologized for it and seems to be proud of it as if it is going to get her more business.”

Ignatius appeared to congratulate herself Friday afternoon in another Facebook post that included a photo of the Kardashians.

“Did you post something controversial as a joke and then you hit the news?” asks the post, which has sincebeenremoved.”Congratulations. You now have a phenomenal platform.”

Ignatius’ post is not the first rant by a Southern California attorney to inspire outrage.

In July, the lead hard-core gang prosecutor in the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office was placed on paid leave after a series of offensive rants on social media triggered demands for his dismissal.

Deputy District Attorney Michael Selyem targeted outspoken U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, former first lady Michelle Obama, Mexican immigrants and the victim of a police shooting in Facebook and Instagram posts denounced by critics as “hateful rhetoric.”

Of Waters, Selyem said: “Being a loud-mouthed (expletive) in the ghetto you would think someone would have shot this bitch by now …” In an online argument with someone over the police shooting of a civilian, Selyem wrote, “That s—bag got exactly what he deserved. … You reap what yousow. And by the way go f— yourself you liberal s—bag.”

Selyem remains on paid leave while the San Bernardino District Attorney’s office investigates, said spokesman Christopher Lee.

There are important differences between the two attorneys, though. Selyem held a position of public trust, while Ignatius is a private attorney whose main business appears to be prepping law students for the State Bar exam.

Staff Writer Teri Sforza contributed to this article.