Mayor Ras Baraka sues US attorney, claiming false arrest and defamation ahead of New Jersey governor primary .
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has filed a lawsuit against New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor, accusing her of political retaliation after his controversial arrest earlier this month at a federal immigration detention facility. The suit, which seeks damages for false arrest and malicious prosecution, comes just days before Baraka competes in a pivotal Democratic primary for governor.
Baraka’s legal action targets interim US Attorney Alina Habba appointed under the Trump administration alleging she pursued criminal charges without cause after he attempted to join a lawful oversight visit to the Delaney Hall detention center alongside three Democratic members of Congress. The charges were later dropped, but Baraka contends they were politically motivated and defamatory.
Citing a post on X in which Habba said Baraka “committed trespass,” the lawsuit says Habba issued a “defamatory statement” and authorized his “false arrest” despite “clear evidence that Mayor Baraka had not committed the petty offense of ‘defiant trespass.’” The suit also names Ricky Patel, the Homeland Security Investigations agent in charge in Newark.
“This is not about revenge,” Baraka said during a news conference. “Ultimately, it’s about them taking accountability for what they did.”
The May 9 incident was captured on video, showing Baraka being led away in handcuffs after walking from inside the facility’s fence to a nearby street where demonstrators were gathered. Bystanders can be heard shouting to protect the mayor as tensions escalated.
Initially charged with defiant trespass, Baraka saw those charges dismissed within two weeks.
However, Rep. LaMonica McIver who joined him at the facility was later charged with assaulting officers during the chaotic scene.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has filed a lawsuit against New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor, accusing her of political retaliation after his controversial arrest earlier this month at a federal immigration detention facility. The suit, which seeks damages for false arrest and malicious prosecution, comes just days before Baraka competes in a pivotal Democratic primary for governor.
Baraka’s legal action targets interim US Attorney Alina Habba appointed under the Trump administration alleging she pursued criminal charges without cause after he attempted to join a lawful oversight visit to the Delaney Hall detention center alongside three Democratic members of Congress. The charges were later dropped, but Baraka contends they were politically motivated and defamatory.
Citing a post on X in which Habba said Baraka “committed trespass,” the lawsuit says Habba issued a “defamatory statement” and authorized his “false arrest” despite “clear evidence that Mayor Baraka had not committed the petty offense of ‘defiant trespass.’” The suit also names Ricky Patel, the Homeland Security Investigations agent in charge in Newark.
“This is not about revenge,” Baraka said during a news conference. “Ultimately, it’s about them taking accountability for what they did.”
The May 9 incident was captured on video, showing Baraka being led away in handcuffs after walking from inside the facility’s fence to a nearby street where demonstrators were gathered. Bystanders can be heard shouting to protect the mayor as tensions escalated.
Initially charged with defiant trespass, Baraka saw those charges dismissed within two weeks.
However, Rep. LaMonica McIver who joined him at the facility was later charged with assaulting officers during the chaotic scene.
Mayor Ras Baraka sues US attorney, claiming false arrest and defamation ahead of New Jersey governor primary .
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has filed a lawsuit against New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor, accusing her of political retaliation after his controversial arrest earlier this month at a federal immigration detention facility. The suit, which seeks damages for false arrest and malicious prosecution, comes just days before Baraka competes in a pivotal Democratic primary for governor.
Baraka’s legal action targets interim US Attorney Alina Habba appointed under the Trump administration alleging she pursued criminal charges without cause after he attempted to join a lawful oversight visit to the Delaney Hall detention center alongside three Democratic members of Congress. The charges were later dropped, but Baraka contends they were politically motivated and defamatory.
Citing a post on X in which Habba said Baraka “committed trespass,” the lawsuit says Habba issued a “defamatory statement” and authorized his “false arrest” despite “clear evidence that Mayor Baraka had not committed the petty offense of ‘defiant trespass.’” The suit also names Ricky Patel, the Homeland Security Investigations agent in charge in Newark.
“This is not about revenge,” Baraka said during a news conference. “Ultimately, it’s about them taking accountability for what they did.”
The May 9 incident was captured on video, showing Baraka being led away in handcuffs after walking from inside the facility’s fence to a nearby street where demonstrators were gathered. Bystanders can be heard shouting to protect the mayor as tensions escalated.
Initially charged with defiant trespass, Baraka saw those charges dismissed within two weeks.
However, Rep. LaMonica McIver who joined him at the facility was later charged with assaulting officers during the chaotic scene.
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