Muslim Sheriff’s Officer Alleges Harassment, Religious Abuse, and Workplace Retaliation in New Jersey Lawsuit
A Muslim officer working with the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office has filed a lawsuit alleging that she faced severe workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation after reporting misconduct within the department. The case, filed in Superior Court, raises serious claims about the working environment inside the law enforcement agency and how her complaints were handled by senior officials.
According to the lawsuit, the 38-year-old officer, who joined the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office on February 1, 2021, describes repeated incidents of harassment linked to both her gender and her Muslim identity. She also states that her career progression suffered after she raised concerns about the alleged behavior.
The officer claims she was subjected to inappropriate physical contact by a supervising officer, including an incident where her buttocks were struck with a clipboard and another where the officer allegedly cupped her breasts while pretending to fall into her. The lawsuit states that she reported these incidents to Sheriff Darrin J. Russo but no corrective action was taken, and the conduct was allowed to continue.
The complaint further alleges that she was directly targeted with Islamophobic remarks. In one incident, a co-worker reportedly said that “Muslim people should die” and used offensive language describing Muslims and other communities. When the officer reminded him that she was Muslim, he allegedly responded that he liked her less because of it.
The lawsuit also claims that after she raised these concerns, she faced retaliation within the department. According to the filing, she was removed from her role involving outreach with the Muslim community and was no longer assigned to related duties following the internal complaints. The officer argues this change was part of a broader pattern of punishment for speaking up.
In addition to harassment claims, the officer alleges that her pregnancy-related work restrictions were not properly respected. While assigned to light duty during an eight-month pregnancy with medical complications, she says she was placed in unsuitable working conditions, including a small office space not meeting proper safety standards. The lawsuit further claims she was required to perform physically demanding tasks such as lifting and moving boxes, while other employees on light duty were assigned administrative work.
The lawsuit also alleges that internal investigators initially recommended termination of a co-worker accused of making discriminatory remarks. However, the sheriff reportedly overruled the recommendation and became involved in the investigative process, which the complaint describes as an attempt to influence witness accounts.
The officer, who also serves as president of the local Policemen’s Benevolent Association, claims that her professional standing was undermined after she spoke out. She alleges that senior leadership failed to address a culture where harassment and discrimination were tolerated.
Sheriff Darrin J. Russo is named as a defendant in the case. According to the complaint, he did not take steps to correct the alleged behavior or protect employees from discrimination. The sheriff’s office has not publicly commented on the details of the lawsuit, citing pending litigation.
The lawsuit includes claims under workplace protection laws, including allegations of discrimination, retaliation, and violations related to employee rights. The attorney representing the officer stated that evidence such as documents, recordings, and witness accounts supports the claims made in the filing.
The case has now been transferred to a different county court to avoid potential conflicts of interest. The allegations remain unproven in court, and no final judgment has been made.
The lawsuit highlights broader concerns about workplace conduct, accountability, and protections for employees reporting harassment, especially within public safety institutions where strict standards of conduct are expected.
Sources
Information based on complaint filed in Superior Court of New Jersey (Hunterdon County) and publicly reported court allegations.
