A Pennsylvania State Trooper is taking the State Police to federal court, claiming he was fired because he is white.
The controversy stems from his arrest of a high-ranking Philadelphia official and her husband during a traffic stop, a case that has drawn significant media attention.
The Arrest That Sparked the Lawsuit
Andrew Zaborowski, 32, filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against the State Police on Tuesday, alleging his termination was racially motivated.
The incident occurred on March 2, 2024, when Zaborowski arrested Celena Morrison, the former executive director of Philadelphia’s Office of LGBT Affairs, along with her transgender husband, Darius McLean.
State Police say Morrison was pulled over for multiple vehicle violations, including expired and suspended registration, illegally tinted windows, and failing to have headlights on in rainy conditions.
But a video recorded by Morrison shows a tense interaction: Morrison shouts, “I work for the mayor,” as Zaborowski detains McLean, who, lying on the side of the highway, exclaims, “It’s because I’m black.”
Zaborowski has strongly denied any racial motivation behind the arrests, with his lawsuit asserting that the couple “falsely accused [him] of racial profiling and of assault and battery.”
Allegations of Unfair Termination
Two months after the arrests, Zaborowski claims he was fired “without any hearing or notice,” according to court documents.
His lawsuit insists that his dismissal was based on his race, asserting that the State Police favors officers of color over white troopers.
The complaint details alleged preferential treatment, claiming that African-American and Black officers who committed serious offenses faced either no discipline or far lighter consequences, while Zaborowski was subjected to intense scrutiny leading to termination.
Legal Action and Compensation Sought
Zaborowski is seeking back pay, front pay, compensatory and punitive damages, attorney fees, and other legal costs.
A graduate of the State Police academy in August 2023, he began his role as a trooper with a starting salary of $71,647, according to the department’s website.
Counterclaims From Morrison and McLean
The couple, Morrison and McLean, were taken into custody following the arrest but released without charges.
In August, they filed their own lawsuit against Zaborowski and the State Police, accusing him of assault, false imprisonment, and battery.
Their legal filing claims Zaborowski used force “without provocation or justification” and also accuses the State Police of negligent hiring, supervision, and retention.
They are seeking damages exceeding $50,000.
Awaiting Comments
The Daily Mail has reached out to both Zaborowski’s attorney and the Pennsylvania State Police for comment on the ongoing legal disputes.