Former Trooper Files Lawsuit After Firing Related to Viral Arrest

A white ex-Pennsylvania State Police officer has initiated a lawsuit against his former agency, claiming his termination was a direct result of a widely publicized arrest involving a Black LGBTQ leader in Philadelphia.

Andrew Zaborowski arrested Serena McLean, who later also identified as Serena Morrison, along with her husband, during a traffic stop on the Schuylkill Expressway in March 2024. Reports mention that the traffic stop turned contentious, eventually garnering significant attention.

In his lawsuit, Zaborowski alleges that he was dismissed unfairly, asserting that the State Police targeted him because of his race and wrongfully accused him of racial profiling.

At the time of the arrest, McLean was serving as the executive director of Philadelphia’s Office of LGBT Affairs.

The State Police reportedly did not respond when asked for a comment regarding the lawsuit.

On March 2, during the traffic stop captured on video, state police claimed McLean was pulled over for multiple infractions, including driving with a suspended registration and without headlights during rain.

According to the reports, Darius McLean, Serena’s husband, arrived at the scene and allegedly became aggressive, resulting in his arrest, as well as the arrest of Serena when she attempted to intervene.

Footage of the incident showed Darius shouting, “I work for the mayor!” while Serena was noted to have said, “Please don’t do this. No! I’m black.” An officer reportedly responded, “It’s not because you’re black,” indicating a different narrative.

Responses from the officers suggested it was merely a routine traffic stop. However, witnesses described moments where emotions ran high, with various voices engaged in the ensuing confrontation expressing frustration and confusion over the situation.

Following the incident, the State Police placed the involved officers on restricted duty. Although the couple faced charges related to their behavior during the altercation, those were eventually dismissed by the District Attorney’s office, allowing them to be released later that night.

It’s noteworthy that McLean’s appointment in January 2020 marked her as the first transgender person of color to lead the city’s LGBT Affairs Office, with previous Mayor Jim Kenney emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in Philadelphia.

McLean had spoken about the challenges of navigating intersections of identity, noting that transgender individuals often face rejection within both the LGBTQ community and the Black community, highlighting the need for tailored support.