Montclair Town Attorney Resigns After Remark To Black Official: Reports

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair’s township attorney has resigned after making a racially charged comment to a Black housing official, reports say.

The Montclair Town Council had ordered a probe into the incident, which took place in September after Ira Karasick defended the town's rent control statute to a panel of appellate judges in Trenton. Read More: Montclair Rent Control Law Likely Headed To Voters In 2022

Standing in an elevator, Karasick – who is white – allegedly encouraged an affordable housing advocate from Montclair to board despite its capacity limit, telling him: “You're only three-fifths of a human, don't worry,” NorthJersey.com reported.

In an apology letter to several people present that day, Karasick said his remark was a “flippant” reference to the 1787 agreement between northern and southern states to count enslaved people as “three-fifths” of a person for seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. It wasn’t intended to demean, but instead acknowledge the “ingrained injustice” prevalent in the U.S., he claimed.

But to many – including the local NAACP chapter – the joke fell short, as Mayor Sean Spiller commented in a Nov. 23 social media post. Spiller wrote:

“Racist language, no matter the context or intent, is unacceptable and does not reflect the values of Montclair. While we cannot speak to the specifics of a personnel matter at present, we immediately launched a thorough investigation upon learning of these serious and disturbing allegations. The process is still ongoing, but I am committed to ensuring we live up to our ideals.”

Spiller confirmed that town officials received a resignation letter from Karasick on Wednesday, Montclair Local reported.

“I am very, very sorry for the distress that I caused, both to the listeners and to everyone who has heard or read about my words,” Karasick wrote.

According to the municipal website, the township attorney serves as the director of the law department. The position advises the township council, township manager and the departments of the township on legal matters, writes proposed ordinances and resolutions, reviews and provides contracts, and represents the township in litigation.

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