New York, NY, March 27, 2014 …The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today criticized as “inadequate and defensive” a statement from the Fairview Board of Fire Commissioners, which was issued in response to allegations of anti-Semitic remarks by Fairview Fire Chief Anthony LoGiudice.

When the comments made by Chief LoGiudice came to light, which were in reference to Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner, ADL called on Mr. LoGiudice to apologize to Mr. Feiner and to the public he serves and urged the board to carefully investigate the allegations.  In a sworn deposition taken earlier this year, Chief LoGiudice was accused of using the slur “… sucking Jew bastard.”

Evan R. Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director, issued the following statement:

The statement issued by the Fairview Fire District is inadequate and defensive.  Neither Chief LoGiudice nor the Board of Fire Commissioners apologized directly to Mr. Feiner or to the community that they serve.

The Board admits that Mr. LoGiudice made the comments, but rather than apologize, their statement appears to be an attempt to excuse the vulgar anti-Semitic remarks by attributing them to a political disagreement.

If Mr. LoGiudice truly has – as the statement asserts – “compassion and respect for people of all religions,” he must demonstrate that with words and actions. The statement from the Board of Fire Commissioners suggests that these kind of crude comments are acceptable in the Fairview Fire Department, and raises questions about whether the problem is bigger than Chief LoGiudice. We urge the Board and Fire Department to carefully examine the environment that made these comments tolerable.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.  Follow us on Twitter: @ADL_NY