An ex-Pennsylvania State Trooper is alleging racial discrimination after his dismissal following a contentious arrest involving a Black Philadelphia official during a traffic stop. Andrew Zaborowski, aged 32, has initiated a federal lawsuit claiming that his termination was racially motivated.
The incident in question involved Zaborowski’s arrest of Celena Morrison, the former head of Philadelphia’s Office of LGBT Affairs, and her transgender spouse, Darius McLean, on March 2, 2024.
According to reports from The Philadelphia Inquirer, state police indicated that Morrison was driving with an expired and suspended registration, illegally tinted windows, and without headlights during rain.
In a video captured by Morrison, who is also transgender, she can be heard asserting her position by shouting, “I work for the mayor,” as Zaborowski took her husband into custody.
The footage shows McLean lying on the roadside while being handcuffed, calling out to his wife and exclaiming, “It’s because I’m Black,” amidst the tense situation.
McLean, seen lying on the side of the highway while the cop handcuffs him, calls out to his distressed wife before shouting, ‘It’s because I’m black.’
Zaborowski denied his actions during the arrest had ‘anything to do with the occupant’s race’.
‘At the time of their arrest, and thereafter, the occupants falsely accused [Zaborowski] of racial profiling and of assault and battery,’ Zaborowski’s lawsuit said.
Former Pennsylvania State Trooper Andrew Zaborowski (pictured) filed a lawsuit claiming he was fired due to the color his skin
Zaborowski was let go after he was captured in viral video arresting the former executive director of Philadelphia’s Office of LGBT Affairs, Celena Morrison, and her trans husband, , Darius McLean (pictured)
Two months later, Zaborowski claimed that he was fired from the state police ‘without any hearing or notice’, according to the court documents.
‘The decision to terminate [Zaborowski’s] employment was based on his race and color,’ the lawsuit stated.
His lawsuit also alleges that the State Police discriminates against white cops and officers of color get preferential treatment.
‘[State Police] have provided preferential treatment to [Zaborowski’s] African-American and black peers with regard to the terms and conditions of their employment,’ the court document said.
‘African-American and black troopers employed by the PSP have committed serious offenses and have not been disciplined and/or have suffered the harsh discipline of termination.
‘[Zaborowski’s] aforesaid African-American and black coworkers have been treated with favoritism while he has been treated with unwarranted and unfair scrutiny and discipline with termination.’
He is seeking back pay, front pay, compensatory damages, punitive damages, counsel fees and costs of suit.
Zaborowski graduated from the State Police academy in August 2023 and was hired as a Trooper. According to the department’s website, a Trooper’s starting base salary is $71,647.
State police previously said Morrison was driving with an expired and suspended registration, with illegally tinted windows, and without illuminated headlights while it was raining
Morrison and her transgender husband, Darius McLean, were never charged. They filed a lawsuit against the State Police and Zaborowski in August
Morrison and McLean were taken into the custody after the arrest, but were released without being charged.
In August, the couple filed a lawsuit against the State Police and Zaborowski accusing him of assault, false imprisonment and battery.
They claimed Zaborowski used force ‘without provocation or justification,’ according to the Inquirer.
The lawsuit also accuses the Pennsylvania State Police of negligent hiring, retention and supervision, and asked for damages in excess of $50,000.
The Daily Mail has contacted Zaborowski’s attorney and the State Police for comment.
