'Playing Politics': Union County Mayor Hits Back At AG After Racial Discrimination Lawsuit Against Township

CLARK, NJ — The Mayor of Clark is lashing back out at the Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the lawsuit filed alleging continued discrimination against non-white drivers around Clark.

"A transparent and non-political accounting of the facts will illustrate that this lawsuit is the frivolous workings of an outgoing Attorney General playing politics," Mayor Angel Albanese said.

On Thursday, the Attorney General's Office said it filed a complaint against members of the Clark Police Department and other town officials for allegedly trying to keep Black, Hispanic, and other non-white drivers out of Clark.

This, the lawsuit said, was done through systemized practices between 2015 and 2020 that included higher stop rates for vehicles, fake allegations about the odor of marijuana, uncharacteristically prioritizing certain violations over others, and implementing a higher patrol for areas near larger groups of these populations.

The Union County Prosecutor's Office took control through supersession of the police department in July 2020 after alleged misconduct, including recordings that allegedly caught the former mayor and other members of the police force using racial slurs.

Actions involving racial disparities did continue due to already-ingrained policy, officials said, even after the supersession, but with notable changes and improvements.

"During this time, no systemic issues or improprieties were identified by the Prosecutor's Office," Albanese said after news of the lawsuit and added that AG Platkin, "...congratulated the Police Department on having successfully instituted numerous reforms."

In March 2025, the supersession ended, and Platkin created a state law enforcement monitorship program for the Clark Police Department.

In the new lawsuit, the state is looking to win an injunction stopping Clark Township and the Clark Police Department from discriminatory acts, enhanced monitoring of the department and Township by the Division on Civil Rights, and damages paid to victims of these policing practices and policies.

"The Clark Township Police Department strives every day to serve our residents with the utmost professionalism, respect, and integrity, and will continue to do so," added Albanese.

Patch has reached out to the Office of the Attorney General for comment on the mayor's response and is yet to hear back.

MORE FROM PATCH: Police Told To Keep Blacks, Hispanics Out Of Clark, Lawsuit Says