East Haven Mayor Discusses Taco Comment and the Future: Report

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Joseph Maturo Jr. was successfully re-elected for an eighth term on Election Day.

After celebrating another win to serve as East Haven mayor, Joseph Maturo Jr. said he is humbled for another chance to serve his community..

“It’s just an honor to be able to serve my community,” said Maturo via NBC Connecticut.

Maturo was re-elected in a decisive vote Tuesday defeating Independent Party candidate Sal Maltese and Democratic challenger Michael Speer.

A comment about tacos Maturo made in 2012 after East Haven police officers were arrested for alleged racial profiling of Hispanics brought him national attention.

In the NBC Connecticut interview, Maturo said he hopes that comment will not follow him in the future.

“I think we’re passed that. I think the town is passed that. I certainly am,” Maturo told NBC in an interview Wednesday.

Maturo cited that efforts to reform the East Haven Police Department were celebrated by President Obama.

Maturo said he looks forward to working on plans to get the old East Haven High School put to effective use for the community. He added he continues to work to bring new businesses to town and to keep taxes low.

Regarding sexual harassment claims against him filed by a former town hall employee, Maturo said he is innocent and is confident he will be proven so, NBC reports.

The full NBC Connecticut report can be read here.

You can watch the NBC Connecticut video here.