The state of New Jersey has launched a major lawsuit against officials in Clark Township, accusing them of orchestrating a systemic campaign of racial discrimination designed to deter Black and minority residents from neighbouring areas from entering the town.
Allegations of Systemic Racism and Quotas
Filed by New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, the legal action names former mayor Salvatore “Sal” Bonaccorso, suspended Police Chief Pedro Matos, and current Police Director Patrick Grady. It alleges town leaders “systematically discriminated against and harassed Black and other non-white motorists.” Central to the case is the claim that Clark police operated with traffic enforcement quotas, focusing disproportionately on roads near the Garden State Parkway and entries from towns with larger minority populations.
The lawsuit presents stark statistical evidence: from 2020 to 2024, police stopped Black motorists approximately 3.7 times more often than white drivers, while Hispanic drivers were stopped about 2.2 times more frequently. Officials assert these practices violate state civil rights laws and the New Jersey constitution.
Shocking Audio Evidence and a History of Controversy
Perhaps the most damning evidence cited are audio recordings, some dating back to 2019. In these, former Mayor Bonaccorso is allegedly heard using racial slurs and instructing officers to “keep chasing the spooks out of town,” a deeply offensive term aimed at Black individuals. The suit claims he directed enforcement to be concentrated on roads leading from communities with higher minority populations.
Bonaccorso, a Republican who served as mayor for roughly 25 years, resigned in January 2025 shortly after starting a seventh term. He was already facing separate corruption charges, to which he pleaded guilty, for using township resources for his private business and forging signatures on permits. A 2020 secret recording also captured Bonaccorso, Matos, and another official using racial slurs, leading to a $400,000 out-of-court settlement by the town, though details later became public.
Legal Proceedings and Official Reactions
When contacted by NJ.com about the state's lawsuit, Bonaccorso reportedly replied via text: “It’s bull****!!!!” and declined further comment. The current Clark Mayor, Angel Albanese, also a Republican, issued a lengthy statement labelling the lawsuit “frivolous” and accused Attorney General Platkin of “playing politics” as his term nears its end.
Charles Sciarra, an attorney for the suspended Chief Matos, similarly criticised the timing of the complaint. Matos has been on paid leave since July 2020 when the Union County Prosecutor’s Office assumed control of the department. He is currently suing to prevent his dismissal, with disciplinary proceedings ongoing.
The state’s lawsuit seeks a court order to end the alleged discriminatory practices, institute continued oversight of the Clark police department, and secure damages for individuals harmed by the systemic bias. While data shows some improvement in racial disparities from 2020 to 2024, coinciding with reduced local control, the Attorney General’s office insists legal action is necessary to ensure lasting reform.
