Mayor Blasted for 'Taco' Quip about Latinos

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 initially defended his response Tuesday to a reporter's question and said it was being unfairly twisted. He later apologized, saying he'd had a long day of interviews after the FBI arrested four town police officers.

Maturo told a WPLR radio show Wednesday that the quip was "stupid" and insensitive and gave ammunition to "people who want to make matters worse."

U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and others have criticized Maturo for the comment.

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