NY Times Calls for East Haven Mayor to Resign [UPDATED]

Update at 12:20 p.m.

The responded to East Haven Patch's comment request that, after a week in which he has been incredibly accessible to the media, there are no plans at this time for any further interviews or comments on the matter from Mayor Maturo.

"If new events change that truly necessitate the Mayor to comment, we will notify the media," the Mayor's Office told East Haven Patch in an email.

Original Story

The pressure continues to mount on East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo.

This morning, the New York Times called for Maturo to resign following his comment that he "might go have tacos" to support the Latino community after four East Haven Police officers were arrested Tuesday for alleged civil rights violations.

On its opinion page, The Times editorial writers say as part of the piece, "An Outrage in East Haven":

First, he said he was joking. When it dawned on him that snide flippancy was the wrong response to grave accusations of police brutality, he said he was sorry for his “off-collar comment.”

That is not enough. Mayor Maturo should now resign. He has shown a stunning incapacity for understanding the severity of the scandal in his government and has been fatally compromised by his knee-jerk support for the tainted police department and its chief. The mayor’s repugnant remark is the least of it. This case is about institutional brutality and oppression.

The entire editorial can be read online here.

East Haven Patch has put in a comment request to the East Haven Mayor's Office regarding this latest call for Maturo to step aside, which was not immediately returned.

Senate Majority Leader Weighs In

In post to his Twitter account, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid also weighed in on the growing controversy.

Last night, Reed tweeted:

Agree w/ @SenBlumenthal: E.Haven mayor's wrds, alleged police harass. hurt Hisps, all Americans. DOJ right 2 investig. http://bit.ly/wCKrsx

And then:

Concerned by allegations that officers ransacked stores 2 erase evidence of #Latino harassment http://nyti.ms/vZNlWM

East Haven Patch will continue to provide updates to this continuing story, as well as the media and the public's reacion to it.