A Washington Post article published Wednesday about a local businesswoman who is suing her father after being pushed out of the family automotive business spawned a Twitter backlash against the father and the business.
Tammy Darvish, of Potomac, the long-time face of the family-owned Darcars Automotive Group, is suing for damages after her father, John Darvish Sr., acted to pass the company on to his sons, John Jr. and Jamie. Tammy maintains that her father promised equal ownership shares in the company to her and her two half-brothers.
Tammy, 51, started working for the company in 1984 and left her executive position in 2014 after the dispute with her father and half-brothers began. The article, which relies heavily on Tammy's story, notes that the reporter, Roxanne Roberts, attempted to contact Darcars, John Darvish Sr. and his son for interviews, but they declined.
Bethesda Beat Thursday contacted a lawyer representing Darcars in the lawsuit to ask about the article and the mounting social media backlash, but he did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a motion to dismiss Tammy's lawsuit filed in March, lawyers representing the company and Darvish Sr., claimed there was no written agreement to provide Tammy with one-third of the company and called Tammy's allegations "pure fiction."
Here's how some Twitter users reacted to the family drama:
I hope she gets MILLIONS :The Darcars family drama: Cut out of the auto business, a daughter sues http://t.co/n0tz53zeQg
— Little Hunting Creek (@kathilatte) April 2, 2015
This article on how Tammy Darvish was promised Darcars, and finally got pushed out is, well…wow. http://t.co/7RF5aKJqvm
— Kelcie Pegher (@klcpegher) April 2, 2015
Even former Post publisher Katherine Weymouth shared her thoughts on the story:
Tammy Darvish – incredibly talented, hard working – screwed by her father: Cut out of the business, a daughter sues http://t.co/A6DNsOKwCR
— katharine weymouth (@weymouthk) April 2, 2015
Less than 24 hours since the article's publication, locals have taken to their social media accounts demanding a Darcars boycott.
TL;DR: Don't buy from @Darcars. "The Darcars family drama: Passed over at auto business, a daughter sues http://t.co/bVQgVB33iP"
— Chris Fowler (@chrisF) April 2, 2015
Gr8 daughter, emotionally abusive dad. If #women matter 2u, don't shop @Darcars. Hang on @TammyDarvish! Family drama: http://t.co/dLYZUFWeS5
— Lauren Burnhill (@LaurenOPV) April 2, 2015
I am in the market for a new car & definitely scratching #Darcars off my list. Shame on you #JohnDarvish & Sons! http://t.co/Xjs20897IQ
— Cherisse Gardner (@cherissegardner) April 2, 2015
@WPLyndaRobinson @_RoxanneRoberts I have both a son & daughter. For them both, I plan to #boycottdarcars until there's #justicefortammy
— royela (@royela) April 2, 2015
If this story is true, *I* won't be buying from Darcars and that is the truth: http://t.co/uvqYmvY96t
— DALAYYYY (@TheToast2015) April 2, 2015
Shame, SHAME on you @Darcars. Passed over at auto business, a daughter sues http://t.co/uTYvcqpcaw #BoycottDarcars
— Kathryn Anderson (@katanders) April 2, 2015
UGH, how awful. NEVER shop w/darcars. RT @luzcita: The good daughter: Tammy Darvish and the Darcars family drama http://t.co/ISLZr14LHa
— tara (@magnolia2010) April 1, 2015
Don't buy from Darcars. Pass it along. The Darcars family drama: Passed over at auto business, a daughter sues http://t.co/BAt4DaqJWz
— Mandi Meros (@meemsings) April 2, 2015
Many are calling this dispute an example of sexism, alleging that Darvish Sr. is favoring his two sons over his daughter.
What happens when the glass ceiling is your father? http://t.co/X4DZ9g0Anc
— Dan Zak (@MrDanZak) April 2, 2015
Gender discrimination may look like favoritism, but is a pattern that won't be broken until men stand up to fight it http://t.co/axSI5NKaaU
— Radiance Rising (@RadianceRising) April 2, 2015
Will women (who influence 80% of car purchases) boycott @DARCARS after sexism charges http://t.co/CyJDIBkWOw via @_RoxanneRoberts:
— Mark (@Health4Law) April 2, 2015
A sad, riveting narrative by @_RoxanneRoberts about a dutiful, accomplished daughter blindsided by her father. http://t.co/OyGJSWMZGa
— Susan Hogan (@NewsSue) April 1, 2015
