Twist In Racial Profiling Suit Against NJ Town, Cops

CLARK, NJ — A civil rights lawsuit accusing members of the Clark Police Department of discriminating against and harassing Black, Hispanic, and other non-white drivers for years now hinges on a narrow but critical question: whether the State of New Jersey filed the case on time.

The complaint, initially filed in January in New Jersey Superior Court by Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division on Civil Rights, names Clark Township, former Mayor Salvatore Bonaccorso, suspended Police Chief Pedro Matos, and other officials as enablers of acts in violation of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination and the New Jersey Constitution.

Now, Superior Court Judge John M. Deitch is weighing motions to dismiss the case.

Defense attorneys for Clark argue the lawsuit was filed too late and must be thrown out, while state prosecutors say they are still well within a 10-year legal window to bring the claims.

The lawsuit alleges that between 2015 and 2020, Clark police and township leadership engaged in a pattern of discriminatory policing targeting Black and Hispanic drivers.

The complaint claims officers disproportionately stopped minority drivers for minor violations, used questionable claims like marijuana odor to justify searches, and maintained enforcement practices designed to discourage minorities from traveling through the town.

The State also alleges some of the conduct was captured on secret audio recordings, including alleged racist remarks by township officials. Those allegations are denied by the defendants.

• Union Co. Cops Recorded Using Racial Slurs Can Be Fired, Judge Says: Report

At the center of the current court fight is timing. Defense attorneys say the case is governed by a two-year statute of limitations under New Jersey’s civil rights and anti-discrimination laws, which would make the 2026 filing far too late for conduct that allegedly occurred between 2015 and 2020.

State prosecutors disagree, arguing that while private individuals generally face a two-year deadline, lawsuits brought by the State itself can be filed within 10 years under New Jersey law unless a specific exception applies.

That argument was reinforced in a recent court filing on May 11, when the Attorney General’s Office submitted a letter correcting statements made during oral argument earlier this month.

The filing clarified that New Jersey has brought multiple civil rights enforcement actions in Superior Court over the years and reiterated its position that state agencies are subject to the 10-year statute of limitations.

Deitch is expected to rule in the coming days on whether the case can move forward or must be dismissed on procedural grounds. His decision will determine whether the lawsuit proceeds toward trial.

If it does, the State is seeking financial damages for affected drivers, an injunction, and the appointment of a state monitor to oversee policing in Clark Township.

The lawsuit has already been one of the most significant legal challenges facing the township in years.

The Union County Prosecutor's Office took control through supersession of the police department in July 2020 following misconduct allegations, before being returned to local control in 2025. Related coverage: State Calls On Union County Leaders To Discipline Cops Recorded Using Racial Slurs

Bonaccorso has since resigned and faced unrelated legal issues, while Matos remains suspended with pay as the broader case continues. Read More: Ex-Clark Mayor Sentenced For Abusing Town Resources, Barred For Life From Public Office

Township officials have denied the allegations and say the lawsuit is unfounded, arguing that reforms have already addressed any past issues.

For now, the entire case rests on Judge Deitch’s upcoming ruling on whether the State acted within the legal deadline.

RELATED COVERAGE: 'Playing Politics': Clark Mayor Hits Back At AG After Racial Discrimination Lawsuit Against Township