Immigrant Shake-Down in New Jersey

According to reports, Rocco Malgieri, a 19 year veteran of the Elizabeth, N.J. Police Department, would stop what he thought looked like Latino immigrant drivers, ask them about their residency status and threaten to have them deported if they didn’t give him money.

It’s not known how much money officer Malgieri allegedly managed to extort, but he’s been thrown in jail. According to NECN.com he

was suspended without pay after turning himself in to Union County prosecutors Thursday. He’s charged with extortion, official misconduct and soliciting bribes.

Toma!

This is the very dark underbelly of the anti-immigrant wave that has spread across the country – alleged rogue cops who feel free to victimize human beings. The consequence is that, because of ill begotten laws and unscrupulous cops, immigrants will fear the authorities, hide further in the shadows and become more vulnerable. The good news is that prosecutors are on the case and justice is being sought.

Officer Malgieri “was released on a $20,000 property bond pending a first court appearance on March 30.”

Follow Victor Landa on Twitter: @vlanda