Tri-Country Broadcasting Rock “Rockin 101” WHMH-FM Sauk Rapids/St. Cloud MN and “The Steel Toe Morning Show” hosted by Aaron Imholte have parted ways after Imholte made a series of vulgar misogynistic comments directed at “Lazer 103.3” KAZR Des Moines morning co-host Heather Lee.

Imholte dedicated a large portion of his show last Friday to attacking Lee because he didn’t get offered the job that she and ‘Fish’ did to host mornings on KAZR earlier this month. The attacks were sexist and personal as Imholte claimed she had no validity to speak or be employed in radio, conducted body shaming while sending his listeners to troll KAZR’s Facebook page and attempt to get her fired. Among the comments made over the course of the show:

• “We’re going to drive this Heather insane”. “This Heather has the audacity to speak up. No! She will not be allowed to speak up. We will bury her in the ground.”
• “Co-host: King Kong Dong asks if we’re mad that a girl got chosen over you? Imholte: Ok no, But first of all I’m upset that a girl was allowed on a morning radio show.”
• “This Heather is a problem ladies and gentlemen. Not a problem for the radio station but for the industry.”
• “We’re trying to send a woman to the mental hospital.”
• “I have an idea guys. Go on the Lazer 103.3 Facebook page and I’ll put a link up in our chat on Twitch right now, go there and write posts that say oh my god I can’t believe Heather uses the n-word in her private time. Please do that. Be appalled that Heather uses the n-word so frequently in her spare time.”

KAZR shared audio of the verbal assault on Lee along with a blog post detailing her reaction. Lee also released a video today expressing gratitude for those who defended her and says she intends to work with anti-bullying campaigns in Des Moines. She joined KAZR after stints at 106.9 KRWM and 98.9 KLCK/KVRQ Seattle and KQKQ Omaha. She also serves as Music Director at “Lazer 103.3“.

A number of radio pros would band to defend Lee while bringing awareness to the attacks on social media and called on WHMH-FM’s advertisers to force the station to take action. The station has eliminated all of their social media profiles this week.

In a since deleted Facebook post, Imholte would write on Wednesday, “I have tendered my resignation at Rockin’101 and Tri County Broadcasting. I do not want my actions reflecting poorly on the wonderful team at a family owned company that is under siege because of my actions. I apologize to Heather at Lazer 103.3 and the entire team. I wish them and their families all the best. This is the best move I can make for me, my family, and so I can have peace. If the people who were offended want to consider this a cancellation, or a victory, I understand, I would do the same. I ask a truce. I made A LOT OF PEOPLE upset and that is not why I do radio.” He claims he will be continuing his show on Twitch. Imholte had hosted mornings on WHMH-FM since 2014.