The New Jersey Attorney General sued Clark officials, accusing former Mayor Sal Bonaccorso and police leaders of directing officers to exclude and harass minority motorists. The complaint cites secret 2020 recordings, a $400,000 settlement, and data showing Black drivers were stopped 3.7 times and Hispanic drivers 2.2 times as often as white drivers between 2015 and 2020. Officials say policing improved from 2020–2024, but the suit seeks remedies and reforms for alleged systemic discrimination.
State Sues Former Clark Mayor and Police Leaders, Alleging Effort To Exclude Minorities
FILE - New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin speaks at a news conference regarding a federal lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump's executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship for anyone born in the U.S. to someone in the U.S. illegally in Boston, on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Casey, File)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
The New Jersey Attorney General's Office has filed a civil-rights lawsuit accusing former Clark Mayor Sal Bonaccorso and local police leaders of directing officers to exclude and harass Black and other non-white motorists. The complaint, brought by Attorney General Matthew Platkin and the Division on Civil Rights, alleges a pattern of discriminatory policing and leadership that targeted minority residents and visitors.
Who Is Named: The suit names former Mayor Sal Bonaccorso, suspended Police Chief Pedro Matos and current Police Director Patrick Grady as defendants. According to the complaint, town leaders "systematically discriminated against and harassed Black and other non-white motorists."
Background And Evidence: The filing references secret recordings made by a police officer in 2020 in which Bonaccorso, Matos and another official were reportedly heard using racial slurs referring to Black people. Clark previously settled related claims for $400,000. The state also cites an analysis showing significant racial disparities in traffic stops: Black drivers were stopped about 3.7 times more often than white drivers between 2015 and 2020, and Hispanic drivers were stopped about 2.2 times more often than white drivers during the same period.
Recent Developments And Legal Status: Bonaccorso, who led Clark for roughly 25 years, resigned in January 2025 just days after beginning a seventh term; he had pleaded guilty to using township resources to benefit his private landscaping business and to forging signatures on permit applications for work his firm performed in town. When asked about the lawsuit, he did not return a voicemail and reportedly replied to NJ.com with a two-word text that included an expletive describing the suit.
Pedro Matos has been on paid leave since the Union County Prosecutor's Office took control of the department in July 2020. Matos has filed suit against Clark to block his firing; related disciplinary proceedings remain pending. The prosecutor's oversight of the department ended last March. The attorney for Matos and Clark's current mayor, Angel Albanese, have called the state's litigation politically motivated and criticized the timing of the filing.
Policing Trends: The attorney general's office notes that while some racial disparities persisted after prosecutor oversight began, data from 2020 to 2024 show notable changes and improvements in policing practices that coincided with reductions in some of those disparities. The complaint asks the court to address the alleged discriminatory policies and practices and to order reforms and remedies for affected residents.
Context: Clark is a suburban community about 27 miles (43 kilometers) south of Manhattan. The lawsuit marks a significant escalation in the state's response to long-running concerns about race, policing and municipal leadership in the town.
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