A spokesperson for Allegheny County has been placed on administrative leave after a social media video surfaced featuring controversial comments that appeared to target a local radio host.In a video posted on her Instagram page, Abigail Gardner pointed to Colin Dunlap’s comments on air quality warnings, quoting him as saying, “Our forefathers used to be outside in the smog and smoke a pack on top of it.”Gardner responded with the following statement: “(Dunlap) should smoke a pack on a bridge and then jump.” Monday afternoon, Gardner was placed on administrative leave. In a statement, Gardner said, “I made a tasteless comment out of frustration, and I apologize for my lapse in judgment. Suicide should not be a topic that is joked about or used to insult others.” “My comments were out of line, and I especially apologize to the employees of Allegheny County that I did not hold myself to a higher standard while representing the County,” Gardner added. Gardner is on leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, you can talk online with a crisis counselor through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s website or call 988.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. —

A spokesperson for Allegheny County has been placed on administrative leave after a social media video surfaced featuring controversial comments that appeared to target a local radio host.

In a video posted on her Instagram page, Abigail Gardner pointed to Colin Dunlap’s comments on air quality warnings, quoting him as saying, “Our forefathers used to be outside in the smog and smoke a pack on top of it.”

Gardner responded with the following statement: “(Dunlap) should smoke a pack on a bridge and then jump.”

Monday afternoon, Gardner was placed on administrative leave.

In a statement, Gardner said, “I made a tasteless comment out of frustration, and I apologize for my lapse in judgment. Suicide should not be a topic that is joked about or used to insult others.”

“My comments were out of line, and I especially apologize to the employees of Allegheny County that I did not hold myself to a higher standard while representing the County,” Gardner added.

Gardner is on leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, you can talk online with a crisis counselor through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s website or call 988.