Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Jersey, persuaded by the Secondary Parents Council has filed a suit on Tuesday, against the city of Newark over Mark Zuckerberg highly publicized $100 million gift to the public school system of Newark.
Zuckerberg announce the grant in an appearance on Ophra Winfrey show in the join presence of Mayor of Newark, Cory Booker and New Jersey Governor Christie on September 24, 2010, saying “It’s what best for Newark”.
The lawsuit is calling for greater transparency by demanding the release of correspondence between the city and company executive as well as other key players in the effort to overhaul the public education system. It also states that parents have “a strong interest in insuring that appropriate public officials, rather than private individuals, decide how allocate the donated funds”.
The suit was made since the Newark city failed to offer a lawful response to Secondary Parents Council’s open record request of April 5 and its two extensions.
Mayor’s administration said there was no correspondence between the mayor and Zuckerberg and their demand is too broad and vague. Booker denounced the ACLU lawsuit as a publicity stunt. Facebook didn’t respond to a request for comment.
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