Carl Paladino, Who Made Michelle Obama 'Gorilla' Comment, Kicked Off Buffalo School Board

BUFFALO, NY — He called for President Obama to be killed by mad cow disease. He said that he wanted to see Michelle Obama living in Africa with a gorilla. And he also served on the Buffalo school board.

At least, he used to. Carl Paladino, a one-time Republican candidate for New York governor in 2010, has been removed from the city's school board on Thursday. Ostensibly, his inflammatory comments did not play a role in his ouster. (For more local stories, subscribe to the Buffalo Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia announced her decision to remove Paladino Thursday following a five-day hearing in June. School board members lobbied for Paladino's removal after he disclosed information about teacher contract negotiations that were discussed in closed-door sessions.

But Paladino said the real reason for their efforts were his comments comments on the Obamas that appeared in a Buffalo arts newspaper. He said the comments weren't for publication.

Paladino didn't immediately respond Thursday to requests for comment.

AP Photo/Mary Esch, File