Newark Mayor Sues US Attorney Over Arrest Incident
The Mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, has filed a lawsuit against an interim US attorney for New Jersey, claiming that his recent arrest was politically motivated. The incident occurred outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility while Baraka was visiting with three Democratic Congress members.
The lawsuit, which includes allegations of false arrest and malicious prosecution, argues that the attorney, Alina Habba, acted beyond her legal capacity and more like a political operative. The complaint specifically highlights Habba’s past political statements aimed at “turning New Jersey Red.”
Baraka, who was charged with a misdemeanor trespass last month, accompanied Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez, and Lamonica McQuiver to the Delaney Hall ICE detention center. Following the visit, Habba’s office sought to dismiss the charges against Baraka, but he maintains that the arrest was both unjustified and targeted.
According to the mayor, he was permitted entry to the facility by a security guard who worked for the private company operating it. Despite this, he claims he was ordered to leave by Homeland Security Investigation Agent Ricky Patel. Baraka stated that after complying with the order, he was shortly thereafter apprehended by armed officers.
The lawsuit also points out that before Baraka was taken away, Habba posted on social media, indicating that the mayor had committed trespass and showed disregard for the law. The complaint asserts that her actions were politically motivated, aiming to advance her agenda through the arrest.
Baraka alleges he was held in federal custody for over five hours and was threatened with additional charges if he did not agree to waive his right to seek attorneys’ fees. The federal judge overseeing the case, Andre Espinosa, expressed concerns over the nature of the arrest, suggesting it reflected poorly on the office’s practices. He criticized government lawyers for prioritizing personal beliefs over the integrity of the legal process.
Ultimately, the judge dismissed the charges against Baraka, preventing them from being brought again. In a statement he shared online, Baraka called for a focus on violent crime and public safety, mentioning that his time could be better spent on these critical issues.
Baraka is currently campaigning for governor of New Jersey, with the state’s Democratic primary set for June 10th. His lawsuit includes claims based on Bivens, which allow individuals to seek damages for constitutional violations by federal employees.
