New Jersey Town Faces State Lawsuit Over Alleged Racial Profiling
A small New Jersey town is facing a state lawsuit alleging that its former mayor and police officials directed officers to discriminate against Black and other non-white motorists. The complaint, filed by the New Jersey Attorney General's office, claims that Clark Township's leadership 'systematically discriminated against and harassed' minority drivers.Allegations of Racial Profiling
The lawsuit, which was filed this week, alleges that former mayor Salvatore 'Sal' Bonaccorso, suspended police chief Pedro Matos, and current police director Patrick Grady oversaw discriminatory policing in Clark Township. According to the complaint, town leadership used racial slurs while discussing policing strategies to 'keep Black people out' of the community.
Traffic Stop Data Reveals Disparities
State officials argue that the conduct went far beyond isolated incidents, pointing to years of traffic stop data showing that Black drivers were pulled over at significantly higher rates than white drivers. The data, which spans from 2015 to 2020, reveals that Black drivers were stopped roughly 3.7 times more often than white drivers, while Hispanic motorists were stopped about 2.2 times more than white motorists.
Whistleblower's Recordings Spark Controversy
The suit also points to a whistleblower's 2020 recordings alleging Bonaccorso and other officials used racial slurs while discussing policing strategies. The township previously agreed to a $400,000 settlement with the whistleblower after the recordings came to light, though the dispute only became public later.
Town Officials Deny Allegations
Bonaccorso has dismissed the lawsuit as political, while current Mayor Angel Albanese called the suit 'frivolous' and accused the attorney general's office of playing politics. Attorneys for Matos have made similar comments.
The state's lawsuit seeks an end to discriminatory law enforcement practices in Clark Township, as well as continued oversight of the town's leadership and police department. The case highlights the ongoing struggle against racial profiling and discrimination in communities across the country.
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