Arthur G. Margeotes says Chief Ben Fox's email was meant to protect police officers and the citizens of Wyckoff.
Chief Ben Fox of the Wyckoff Police Department WYCKOFF - Police Chief Ben Fox has hired a former prosecutor to represent him during a state attorney general investigation as to whether the chief condones racial profiling.
Fox voluntarily stepped down last month after a 2014 email to his officers surfaced in which Fox condones the investigation of "suspicious black people in white neighborhoods."
"We are confident the investigation will conclude that Chief Fox's intent, through distribution of the contested communications, was expressed for the sole purpose of the protection of his officers and the residents of Wyckoff Township, and was in no way racial profiling," said criminal defense attorney Arthur G. Margeotes.
Margeotes, a member of the Simon Law Group, has worked in the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office and The U.S. Attorney's Office. He helped investigate and prosecute internal affairs cases, governmental corruption, organized crime, insurance fraud and other crimes, according to his bio.
Chief ordered cops to investigate 'suspicious blacks'
Last month, Acting Attorney General Robert Lougy announced an investigation of Fox after the ACLU-NJ produced the email, which stated in part:
"Profiling, racial or otherwise, has its place in law enforcement when used correctly and applied fairly. Black gang members from Teaneck commit burglaries in Wyckoff. That's why we check out suspicious black people in white neighborhoods."
Lougy said the email "appears to be a clear violation of the Attorney General's policy strictly prohibiting racial profiling by police officers."
The ACLU said it received the email from an anonymous source.
Margeotes said in a statement he can present evidence to "clear up allegations of wrongdoing and any negative manipulation that has begun to circulate amongst the media in regard to Fox's name and reputation."
"At this time, investigations into the matter are preliminary, surface-level examinations that are essentially no more than unsubstantiated assertions," Margeotes said.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.