Baraka Files Federal Lawsuit Against Alina Habba and DHS Agent Ricky Patel

Today,  Newark New Jersey Mayor Ras Baraka filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey asserting claims of false arrest, malicious prosecution, and defamation against Alina Habba and DHS Special Agent Ricky Patel. The lawsuit details how both defendants, acting outside the scope of their legal authority, and with malice, orchestrated the violent arrest and public humiliation of Mayor Baraka during a peaceful visit to the Delaney Hall ICE facility.

The Complaint states that Habba “blatantly and publicly professed her plan to use the power of the office of the United States Attorney to help Republicans,” quoting her as saying: “We could turn New Jersey red… Hopefully, while I’m [interim US Attorney].” It includes a post by Habba on her…