Monday, June 03, 2024
NJ Mayor Apologizes for Hasidic Jews Comment, Claims ‘extortion’
City officials are embroiled in a legal battle, as a former Linden school administrator filed a whistleblower lawsuit for what he says were discriminatory hiring efforts to exclude Jewish school staff.
Former Assistant Superintendent Paul Oliveira filed his suit against the Linden Board of Education, Mayor Derek Armstead and others on May 23.
Armstead was accused of seeking to exclude Hasidic Jewish individuals from being hired by the school district, saying at one point: "That is what has to happen in order to keep our community from being taken over by guys with big hats and curls."
On Thursday, Armstead admitted to making such a reference.
"The Mayor apologizes for comments referencing Hasidic Jews as 'guys in big hats and curls,' and remains staunchly committed to diversity and inclusivity in the community," Armstead said in a statement on Thursday.
He said Oliveira had no evidence that any job applicants were ever turned down based on religious affiliation.
Armstead then accused the ex-assistant superintendent of trying to extort $950,000 from the district before filing his lawsuit.
On Friday, Oliveira's attorney, Armen McOmber, called Armstead's written response "ridiculous, inaccurate and defamatory" and said such efforts to intimidate and silence Oliveira would fail.
"The mayor is a bigot and has absolutely no business leading any city anywhere: controlling the hiring practices of the Board of Education in order to keep Jews from 'taking over the community,'"
"Instead of actual contrition and an attempt to understand and comply with anti-discrimination laws, the Mayor unfortunately attempts to deflect attention from his own misconduct by attacking Paul," McOmber said.
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