A New Jersey sheriff has resigned after he was caught on tape making racist remarks, including claiming that legalized marijuana would “let the blacks come in.”
Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino faced a call to resign from New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) on Thursday after Saudino admitted it was his voice on a recording made in January, after Murphy indicated his support for legalizing marijuana in his inaugural address.
“He talked about the whole thing, the marijuana, sanctuary state... better criminal justice reform,” Saudino is heard saying of Murphy. “Christ almighty, in other words let the blacks come in, do whatever the fuck they want, smoke their marijuana, do this, do that, and don’t worry about it. You know, we’ll tie the hands of cops.”
The audio was released Thursday by WNYC, which said it received the recording from an anonymous source. Another recording released by WNYC featured Saudino saying Gurbir Grewal, the country’s first Sikh state attorney general, was appointed by Murphy because of “the turban,” and asking if New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver is gay “because she’s never been married.”
“The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office announces that effective this date and at this time Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino has submitted his resignation as the Sheriff of Bergen County,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement Friday.
Four undersheriffs resigned as well. The sheriff’s office did not offer an explanation when reached for comment.
“Additionally, Executive Undersheriff George Buono, Undersheriff Robert Colaneri, Undersheriff Brian Smith and Undersheriff Joseph Hornyak have also submitted their resignations effective immediately,” Friday’s statement said.