Sheriff of New Jersey resigns after racist comments on Sikh State Attorney General

The New Jersey Sheriff, who allegedly was heard in voice recordings making many controversial comments – including racist remarks about the state's Sikh Attorney General – resigned.

The Bergen County Sheriff's Office announced Friday that Sheriff Michael Saudino had resigned after WNYC Public Radio had released several registrations the day before.

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Saudino reportedly made these statements during a conversation on Jan. 16 after the inauguration of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, whom he attended, according to the WNYC.

In the recording, Saudino was discussing whether Murphy had made an appointment in Bergen County when an under-sheriff indicated that US Attorney General Gurbir Grewal wore a turban because of his religious beliefs. .

"He did not do it because of Bergen County," Saudino was quoted as saying. "He did it because of the turban."

Saudino was also said to have been heard in the recordings criticizing Murphy's remarks about police services during his inauguration on topics such as marijuana and better criminal justice reform.

"Christ Almighty, in other words, let the blacks come in, do what they want, smoke their marijuana, do this, do that, and do not worry about it," he said. Saudino. "You know, we'll tie the hands of the cops."

Office of the sheriffs of Bergen County

In another recording, Saudino claims to interview Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver by asking her, "Is she gay? Because she has never been married."

Grewal responded in a tweet on Thursday, saying he had developed a "thick skin" after being labeled "much worse," but denounced comments about the black community and the lieutenant governor.

The statement from the sheriff's office did not indicate whether it was in fact Saudino's voice in the records.

After the publication of the recordings, Murphy issued a statement urging Saudino to resign. Now that he has done so, the state can now "begin the process or restore confidence in the Bergen County Sheriff's Office" and "begin the process to make sure that the fanatical beliefs of the former sheriff are not supported, "Murphy said.

"I intend to appoint an acting sheriff who can restore public confidence," Murphy said. "The Bergen County Sheriff's Office has countless dedicated officers who have undoubtedly been so horrified and disappointed by the comments of their former boss.This is an opportunity for our administration to work with them and with the community this confirms our common values ​​of inclusion and respect of New Jersey. "

Grewal said in a statement that Saudino's resignation was "an important first step in repairing relations between the Bergen County Sheriff's Office and the various communities it serves," but is concerned that none of his subordinates challenge him.

"The fact that a senior official can make racist comments about the African American community – and no one in the room will dispute or correct it – raises serious concerns," Grewal said.

Julio Cortez / AP

At least two sheriffs were also in the room at the time of the conversation, which took place in a county office building after Murphy's investiture, according to the source that provided the WNYC recordings.

Four sheriffs also resigned, the sheriff's office said. The head of the Bergen County Sheriff, Kevin Pell, will serve as the officer in charge until Murphy appoints an acting sheriff, according to the release.

The Bergen County Executive, Jim Tedesco, described Saudino's comments as "indefensible", but added that he did not think they reflected "men's values" and women "sheriff's office.

"It was clear that he could no longer effectively serve the inhabitants of Bergen County," Tedesco said in a statement. "We can not and should not tolerate the discrimination of anyone, let alone our elected representatives.The diversity of Bergen County is our strength and my administration works every day to ensure its inclusion in the county government and our 70 municipalities. "