Newark Mayor Sues U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, Accusing Her of False Arrest
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
The mayor of Newark on Tuesday sued New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor Alina Habba over his arrest last month outside an immigration detention facility in his city, accusing her of false arrest, malicious prosecution and defaming him to advance her political agenda.
Habba’s office last month charged Mayor Ras Baraka, a Democrat who is running for governor, with trespassing at an immigration detention center in New Jersey . Her office subsequently dropped the case. Baraka on Tuesday said he was seeking unspecified damages and attorneys fees.
Baraka’s lawsuit, filed in New Jersey federal court, is the latest salvo in a continuing battle between Habba, a Republican who President Trump appointed as the state’s interim U.S. attorney, and Democratic officials in New Jersey. Her office has also charged a Democratic congresswoman with assaulting, resisting and impeding law-enforcement officers in an attempt to enter the detention center during the same May 9 incident at which Baraka was arrested.
It also underscores tensions between the Trump administration and local officials over immigration enforcement. Habba, who previously served as a private lawyer for Trump , has announced immigration-related investigations into New Jersey’s Democratic attorney general and governor.
Habba didn’t respond to a request for comment. In a social-media post before the lawsuit was filed, Habba wrote, “My advice to the mayor—feel free to join me in prioritizing violent crime and public safety. Far better use of time for the great citizens of New Jersey.”
On May 9, Baraka said he arrived at the detention center after being invited by members of Congress who were there to inspect it. He spoke to members of the public outside its gates, and a guard at the center then invited him inside, according to the lawsuit. He said Homeland Security official Ricky Patel, who is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit, then asked him to leave. Baraka said he briefly spoke to Congress members visiting the facility, then left after Patel threatened to arrest him.
He said agents violently pulled his arms, handcuffed him and took him to a facility to take his mug shot and fingerprints.
Baraka in his lawsuit accused Habba of defamation for what he said were false comments she made about him on social media and on television, including accusing him of grandstanding and saying that he willingly chose to disobey the law. He accused both Patel and Habba of false arrest and malicious prosecution.
A Homeland Security representative didn’t respond to a request for comment on Patel’s behalf.
Baraka noted a judge admonished Habba’s office, calling the hasty arrest and prosecutors’ subsequent dismissal a worrisome misstep. “The apparent rush in this case, culminating today in the embarrassing retraction of charges, suggests a failure to adequately investigate, to carefully gather facts, and to thoughtfully consider the implications of your actions before wielding your immense power,” the judge said, according to Baraka’s complaint.
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Trust Trump to elevate someone like Habba to a position beyond their abilities.
Next question.
does trmp pay for the botox and surgical enhancements when he hires them?
... only if he impregnates them.
if push comes to shove, I'm sure trumpski can find another useful position for her in his administration ...
under the desk
as a skillful maga orator in the legal profession?
Nah Clinton and Monica already did that and Monica was much younger
but, but, but, what about ...
what did he say? I can't read it
OOOOO let me guess? Something about busting on conservative women, right? I bust on con women as much they bust on lib women
that depends on you define the word "orator"
remember who we're talking about ...
nothing that was on topic ...
He seems to have a pretty strong case, but I imagine the feds will seek to settle it pretty quickly. The best thing he could get out of this would not be money, but a very public court case. There's no way the feds will let this go to trial.
Letbsee he was trespassing and got arrested for it and now he it claiming false arrest? Is he trying yo say he did not trespass.
If he was trespassing, why isn’t he being prosecuted for it?
Ask the DA. I don't make those decisions.
No you don't, but you act like DA, jury, and judge by declaring him to be trespassing. Arrest apparently equals guilt for you.
if that was the case, there would be a bloated and unamerican POS/POTUS sitting in a federal prison now ...
she's painted herself into a judicial corner ...
then we want a public court trial
Baraka isn't authorized entry. Her attempted entry was tresspassing. Plain and simple.
He, his or him ... @!@
Don't care.
more maga gender confusion, but I hear they're legislating some helpful regulations for the sycophantic base ...
What the US attorney should do now is refile the charges and Bankrupt the Mayor with legal fees.
Indeed, revenge must never sleep ... @!@