Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has filed a lawsuit against New Jersey’s interim U.S. Attorney, Alina Habba, alleging false arrest, malicious prosecution, and defamation. The lawsuit, filed June 3rd in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, stems from Baraka’s brief detention on a trespassing charge at a federal immigration facility – a charge that was subsequently dropped.

Baraka’s complaint paints a picture of political retaliation, claiming Habba abused federal power. He alleges that the arrest and subsequent prosecution caused significant reputational damage and emotional distress. This legal action comes as Baraka is also actively campaigning for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in New Jersey, with the primary election scheduled for next Tuesday.

The lawsuit specifically accuses Habba of making defamatory statements regarding the incident. The details of these statements haven’t yet been publicly released within the court documents, but their inclusion in the complaint suggests significant damage to Baraka’s public image was inflicted as a result of Ms. Habba’s actions. This case promises to be a closely watched legal battle, given the high-profile figures involved and the ongoing political context.