Linden mayor sorry for comments about Jews, alleges political hit job
LINDEN – Mayor Derek Armstead has issued an apology for making disparaging comments about Hasidic Jews, while also claiming to be the victim of extortion by a former school district administrator, a complaint that police said they investigated and determined did not warrant further action.
Armstead's apology came in response to comments made in a meeting with former Linden Assistant Superintendent of Schools Paul Oliveira. Oliveira cited the comments in a civil lawsuit the school administrator filed last week against the mayor, Linden Board of Education and other school officials, alleging he was forced to quit his job because he objected to an "antisemitic and illegal scheme" that was aimed at excluding Jews from being hired.
The lawsuit alleges Armstead said only to hire African American or Haitian applicants because "That is what has to happen in order to keep our community from being taken over by guys with big hats and curls."
Armstead, a Democrat who is seeking the District 10 Congressional seat vacated by the April 24 death of Donald Payne Jr., said he remains committed to diversity and inclusivity in the community.
The mayor said he was advocating for a workforce that reflects the diversity of the Linden student body, where about 32.4 percent of the Black students at Linden High School are of Haitian descent and only speak Creole, which has created a need for Creole-speaking teachers.
In the lawsuit, Oliveira said he took protected medical leave due to the stress and anxiety caused by a conspiracy to exclude Hasidic Jewish people from being employed by the Linden school district. Armstead said Oliveira's claims lack evidence of any Hasidic Jewish candidates applying for school district positions.
Oliveira's lawsuit also includes accusations that he was directed to prioritize African American or Haitian applications, allegations the mayor denies.
Armstead alleges Oliveira and his attorney Armen McOmber tried to extort $950,000 from Linden taxpayers and students to settle Oliveira's "whistleblower" complaints before the lawsuit was filed.
"The core of Oliveira's accusations involved a secretly recorded meeting between himself and the implicated officials. McOmber threatened a legal and public relations campaign if his $950,000 ‘ransom’ demands were not met," Armstead's team said a news release, which also questioned the timing and motivation behind the release of the recorded conversation while Armstead in seeking a congressional office.
The alleged extortion claim was reported by school officials to the Linden Police Department for investigation. Armstead also called for a criminal investigation by the Union County Prosecutor's Office.
Linden police said a report was made in reference to the allegation, which was reviewed by the police department's Investigative Bureau, in conjunction with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, and it was determined that further investigation was not warranted.
In the meantime, it appears Oliveira is looking to move on. According to Armstead's release, Oliveira has a new job as the chief administrator at the Academy for Urban Leadership, a charter school in Perth Amboy, with a salary of $190,000 per year. An email sent to the interim administrator at the Academy for Urban Leadership has not yet been returned.
Email: srussell@gannettnj.com
Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Linden NJ Mayor Derek Armstead sorry for comments about Jews
