Seaside Heights: We didn't target Karma for attracting gay and black patrons

SEASIDE HEIGHTS - Borough officials have strongly denied targeting Karma nightclub owner John Saddy for hosting events that attracted African-American and gay patrons, in a federal case that could be headed for trial.

Saddy sued Seaside Heights, Mayor Anthony Vaz, Administrator Christopher Vaz (the mayor's son), police Chief Thomas Boyd and the Borough Council in November, claiming the borough “has implemented and maintains an unconstitutional, discriminatory and racist policy, practice and/or custom of discouraging and limiting African-American and LGBTQ (Lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender, queer/questioning) visitors to Seaside Heights."

But in answers to the lawsuit filed late last month and earlier in January in Trenton federal court, Seaside officials said they had never targeted the nightclub because of its clientele.

Administrator Vaz said he instead spoke "positively of events catering to the LGBTQ community and how such events had benefited Asbury Park, which Seaside Heights hoped to emulate," according to his response to Saddy's suit.

Read more: https://www.app.com/story/news/investigations/watchdog/government/2019/01/30/seaside-heights-karma-target-gay-black/2596023002/