Conn. mayor blasted for ‘taco’ quip about Latinos


January 25, 2012 at 11:42a.m.

Conn. mayor blasted for ‘taco’ quip about Latinos

EAST HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — The mayor of a Connecticut community roiled by allegations of police discrimination against Hispanics is under fire for saying he “might have tacos” as a way to do something for those minorities.

East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo apologized Tuesday for his response to a reporter’s question, saying he’d had a long day of interviews after the FBI arrested four town police officers.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy today deemed Maturo’s comments “repugnant,” calling on him to immediately rectify the damage.

Police treatment of Hispanics in East Haven has been under scrutiny since a civil rights probe started in 2009, finding patterns of discrimination and biased policing.

The four officers arrested Tuesday are charged with conspiring to deprive Latinos of their rights and other offenses. They have pleaded not guilty.