New Jersey – NJ Governor Calls For Bergen Sheriff’s Resignation Over Racist Comments

New Jersey – A high ranking Bergen County official has found himself in the media spotlight after a recording of him allegedly making racist remarks has surfaced, prompting New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy to call for his resignation.

According to WNYC (http://bit.ly/2QLGoiE), Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino was speaking with colleagues on January 16th following Murphy’s inauguration. Saudino reportedly blasted the governor for his stance on criminal justice reform and other issues saying, “in other words, let the blacks come in, do whatever the [obscenity] they want, smoke their marijuana, do this, do that and don’t worry about it. You know, we’ll tie the hands of the cops.”

Other questionable remarks include Saudino allegedly saying that Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, the first Sikh to be appointed to an attorney general position in the United States, had gotten his job only “because of the turban,” questioning Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver’s sexual orientation and admitting that he had violated rules by having corrections working as K-9 handlers, a task that is not part of their job.

WNYC did not release audio of the conversation in its report. Both Murphy and Grewal said that they have yet to officially confirm that the remarks were made by Saudino.

“If indeed that is Sheriff Saudino’s voice on the recording, he must resign,” said Murphy in a statement, describing the comments as “appalling.”

“Anyone using racist, homophobic and hateful language is unfit for public office,” said Murphy.

Grewal refuted the insinuation that he was not qualified for his current job, observing that he and Saudino held the top two law enforcement positions in Bergen County before his appointment as attorney general. Grewal said that he would be disappointed if the remarks are proven to have been made by Saudino.

“I think having worked with him for two years, he would know better than most that I have law enforcement credentials,” said Grewal, noting that his innovative approach, and not his religion, earned him the attorney general spot.

Oliver, who has never been married, issued a statement of her own in response to Saudino’s alleged remarks.

“Obviously the sheriff is a relic of an era gone by,” said Oliver. “Diversity and inclusion should be top priorities for him as a law enforcement official in a county such as Bergen. How ignorant.”

Bergen County executive Jim Tedesco expressed his disappointment and also called for Saudino’s resignation, according to Insider NJ (http://bit.ly/2QM7W7F).

“Bergen County’s diversity is our strength and his statements are clearly inconsistent with our values,” said Tedesco. “In the best interest of the public he should step down.”

Saudino, who is currently a Democrat but was initially elected as a Republican, was not immediately available for comment on the matter. He has been serving as sheriff in Bergen County since 2009 and is up for re-election in 2019.