Awkward: CT Mayor Makes ‘Taco’ Comment During Press Conference About Latino Harassment
- Posted on January 25, 2012 at 6:06pm by
Becket Adams
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East Haven Mayor Joe Maturo in a 2007 photo. (BOB MACDONNELL, Hartford Courant/August 28, 2007)
While trying to answer a question about Latino harassment in East Haven, CT, Mayor Joe Maturo stumbled into some odd territory with a comment about “tacos” and then proceeded to make things much worse for himself.
Wait a minute. What was he being asked about?
East Haven has been in the news recently because four of its police officers have been accused of harassing the Latino community.
US Attorney David B. Fein listens as Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez speaks about an indictment charging four East Haven police officers with federal civil rights offenses. (AP Photo/The Connecticut Post, Ned Gerard)
According to the charges filed against the officers, members of the Latino community were detained with little or no reason, then slapped and kicked while in handcuffs, reports Newser. A priest who tried to alert authorities was himself harassed, and store security videos that captured the cops were destroyed, reports the New York Times.
But despite their alleged attempts to cover-up their behavior, word of police intimidation got out and the Justice Department began an investigation.
“Sgt. John Miller and three of his officers—known as ‘Miller’s Boys’—have been hit with several charges, including conspiracy, false arrest, excessive force, and obstruction of justice for years of mistreatment of residents, according to the indictment,” write Mary Papenfuss of Newser.
“An FBI spokesman said the cops were a ‘cancerous cadre that routinely deprived East Haven residents of their civil rights.’”
And this is what lead up to the Mayor’s “taco” comments.
In light of the ongoing police scandal, and the understandable tension it has created between East Haven leadership and the Latino community, WPIX reporter Mario Diaz asked the Mayor what he planned to do for the Latino community [today].
“I might have tacos when I go home, I’m not quite sure yet,” Maturo responded.
What?
See the interview via WPIX [note: if you turn the volume up, you can actually hear the sound of the Mayor digging himself into a hole]:
Few words can properly describe the Mayor’s desperate backpedaling (although the word “flounder” comes to mind).
Maturo even tried to defend his comments by saying: “When you ask me what I would do for Latinos, I may go out and have a Latino dinner in the Latino community. There’s nothing wrong with that and you can twist it and turn it whichever way the press decides to do.”
He later apologized, saying it was his 12th or 13th interview of the day, according to WPIX. He said he meant no harm by what he called a “flippant” remark.
“If it harmed anybody or hurt anybody, I apologize,” Maturo said. “Yeah, it’s probably a little insensitive, but it was late in the day.”
And as for the police scandal that lead to this interview: all accused officers have pleaded not guilty.
Sgt. John Miller’s lawyer said that “nothing in the indictment is a surprise,” adding that his client would be vindicated, according to Newser.
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Comments (65)
Marengo Ohio Patriot
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 8:07pmpriceless!!!!
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 5:29amAre you sure he hasn’t been attending the Joe Biden School of Public Speaking?
OMG
Report Post »USPATRIOT101
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:27amNice attempt to pander to a group.
Report Post »USPATRIOT101
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:29amWhat the hell do you want him to go do? What could this guy possibly go out and do that night to stroke the latin community?
Report Post »jmmjr49er
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:52pmMayor Maturo must be a Democrat. I did not find any indication on the article. If he was a Republican – Hell Storm and racist, bigot, homophobe would follow.
Stay classy Mayor!
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 8:31pmaccording to wiki he is a republican.
Report Post »jzs
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 8:32pmjmmjr49er, you can’t be serious when you ask if the guy is a Republican. Of course he’s a Republican. You don’t keep up much with the Republican platform do you? “I didn’t find anything in the article” you say. On this website if he were a Democrat or an ethnic or religious minority you’d have heard it. Easy assumption he’s a Republican. Next time look a little farther than here. Hey, guess what, he has a facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joe-Maturo-Jr/118816084863224
jmmjr49er
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:12pmThank you for your help.
Report Post »Nick84
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:02amNot really sure how you could begin to think he was a Democrat… Oh wait, I forgot. To people on this site, if anything bad happens, it must have been a Democrat.
Zipit
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:07amRepublican, or democrat! It doesn’t matter. He should have stated it with a much greater tone of sarcasm and disdain than he did! “what do you plan to do for the latino community today”? How about nothing you freaking racist *******!!!! If you wish to ask me what I will do to help an American with their constitutional rights as an American, you will get a civil response. Until then, you can take your “Latino community, and blow it out your sombrero”!!!!!!!!
Report Post »Deb0825
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:28amI live in East Haven and he is a Republican……..but the harrassment by the officers happened under the previous mayor, who was a Female Democrat…that said…..East Haven has always been perceived as a racist town…dating back to 1995 when a black 20 year old, Malik Jones, was stopped for a traffic violation, chased into neighboring New Haven and shot 5 times at close range by an East Haven officer…and the kid was unarmed. The officer tried to say the kid tried to run him over, but the care was parked towards a wall where they blocked him in and he would have had to back up to try to run over the officer. The officer was tried and aquitted…but this led to marches down main street by the NAACP, etc. I voted for him because the previous mayor raised my taxes, but I agree it was a bonehead comment and his apology was lame.
Report Post »SPOOKYDOOD
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:49pmLol it’s Michael Scott in real life….
Report Post »valarie
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:49pmWho the f cares about this remark? Really? News?
Report Post »ThaDuke
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:41pmwell said… thank you
Report Post »Red Max
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:35pmMe, I’m having Mofongo.
Report Post »ares338
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:34pmA burrito for…..I don need no stinkin’ tacos!
Report Post »garbagecanlogic
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:32pmSo what is the problem? We’ve got way to many PC people running around the country wanting to have their 15 minutes of fame nowadays. Maybe they should work on doing something constructive for our country. Hint: make a tasty taco.
The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
Report Post »The U.N. Out Of The U.S.
let us prey
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:29pmI wonder what little or no reason is?
Report Post »Hyena
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:28pmWhat are you doing for the community? Gonna go have tacos.
Would someone please toss him out of the Republican Party for being such an embarrassment?!
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 8:35pmwhat is so embarrassing about wanting tacos for dinner? The citizens should be more concerned with a policy to deal with the conditions in that community; rather than the press berating him and a flippant remark.
Report Post »Zipit
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:16amThrow him out? Hell, let’s hire more just like him! (on this issue anyway)
Report Post »lynda1276
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:20pmlol- i‘m talking and i can’t shut up….
Report Post »BrewGnat
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:19pmIt’s like when Joe Namath just wanted a kiss, the mayor just wanted a taco.
Report Post »NOBAMA201258
Posted on January 27, 2012 at 1:13amMaybe he wanted to kiss a taco
Report Post »lothlorien
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:19pmThe fuller story on Foxnews.com says quote “Last month, a lengthy civil rights investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice concluded there was a pattern of biased policing in East Haven, where only one of the roughly 50 police officers speaks Spanish.”
Why the heck is biased or wrong with “only one of the roughly 50 officers” speaking Spanish? Why should ANY of them have to speak Spanish. This is the U.S. and WE speak ENGLISH here. If aliens want to come here, they should learn our language. I would think it shoud be considered a PLUS for the police department that they actually have an officer that speaks Spanish. I‘m pretty sure our town doesn’t have one.
Report Post »tmplarnite
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:12pmCall the Waaaaaaambalance…Illegals get out that includes the head illegal too…O’vomit!
Report Post »angeleyes63
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:02pmTensions between Latinos aka illegal aliens and the community at large gee I’m just wondering if the onslaught of illegal alien job stealers could be why.
Report Post »Impenitent
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:02pmI wonder if he’ll help the French community by eating a souffle?
Report Post »justangry
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 6:49pmLOL, give the guy a break already! I can‘t count the stupid things I’ve done that seem racially insensitive these days, but I never meant any harm. I just grew up in a small lilly white farming community. I think the worst was wearing a Cleveland Indians hat to a reservation, whoops. It took me a while to figure out why everyone was looking at me funny.
Report Post »raybojabo
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 6:43pmWHUT? Margaritas for lunch, tacos for dinner. I love Mexicans.
Report Post »Blacktooth
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 6:41pmSometimes it is better to say nothing. Every question does not need to be answered.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 6:39pmThe Mayor says he might have some tacos and that’s a problem? People are too sensitive about this stuff it‘s all PC BS and that’s the problem.The guy might eat a taco,hell just shoot him or hang him.
Report Post »The reporter sure seemed hostile towards the mayor maybe the mayor felt threatened it’s all BS.
USAFLgirl
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 6:29pmTHIS is the mayor?? Wow. Guess he didn’t have to give any speeches to get elected! It’s late, huh? Any chance he had a little nip prior to this interview???
Report Post »rocketwrangler
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 6:28pmI think I’m having rocky mountain oysters for dinner tonight.
Report Post »ThaDuke
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:43pmLOL thats just gross
Report Post »conservativeblackman
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 6:27pmWhat a jerk, know wonder his gestapo cops are being brought up on charges. Doubt they will goto prison, but it would be nice if they got to spend a little time with the people they violated.
Report Post »tmplarnite
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:27pmWah, Wah Wah…cry me a river…. Criminal illegals cannot be violated…they are criminals…end of story. Tell them ALL to go home…GET OUT THIEVES!
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 6:26pmGod how did this man ever get elected? He dug a deep deep depp PC grave! That was the best laugh I had all day long…What a moron. Give him a taco!!
Only 10% are Latino? Wow in Texas it’s 35%. More Latinos to beat the crap outta this guy…
Report Post »swalt
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 6:22pmThis guy stuck his foot in his mouth and tried really hard to pull it out once he realized what he said. Too late!
Report Post »briankraner
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 6:20pmi like this story…..and I want a Taco…..
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