US law official in spot over Sikh AG remark

New York, September 21

Authorities in New Jersey have called for the resignation of a senior law enforcement official after a secret recording surfaced in which he allegedly made racist remarks about America’s first Sikh-American Attorney General Gurbir Grewal over his turban.

Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino allegedly made multiple controversial remarks in a January 16 conversation that took place after Phil Murphy was inaugurated as Governor of New Jersey, the recordings of which were obtained by WNYC.

In the audio, Saudino is heard saying that New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy appointed Grewal because of “the turban”.

“He didn’t do that because of Bergen County; he did that because of the turban,” Saudino said of Murphy’s selection of Grewal, who at the time was the Bergen County prosecutor.

Grewal tweeted that he had listened to the recording.

“If that’s in fact Sheriff Saudino’s voice, then he should resign immediately,” Grewal said. He further tweeted that he has “got thick skin and I’ve been called far worse. But the comments about the African-American community are wrong, racist, and hurtful. The comments about our Lieutenant Governor are inappropriate and homophobic. New Jersey and Bergen County deserve better.” In July this year, Grewal was racially targeted by two radio hosts who repeatedly called him the “turban man” on air.

Murphy has also called for the resignation of Saudino.

In the available audio, Saudino, using expletives, says: “… let the blacks come in… smoke their marijuana, do this do that, and don’t worry about it. You know, we’ll tie the hands of cops.”

On Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, he is heard asking if she is gay. “Because she’s never been married.”

A report in NJ.com said Saudino offered his “sincere apology” to the people of Bergen County for the “insensitive recorded remarks” made public. — PTI