When the truth hurts, whine loudly, slander the messenger, and call an attorney. Reported by John Mason jmason@kstp.com and Leah McLean lmclean@kstp.com
A city councilmember in the north Metro is under fire after he made comments that, some say, were inappropriate and racially charged.
City Councilman LeRoy Schaffer called the St. Francis Police Department to investigate what he thought were illegal immigrants working on a home in his neighborhood.
Schaffer told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that he’s not a racist. He does admit he called police last week reporting suspicious behavior by Spanish-speaking roofers working on a home.
According to the police report, Schaffer stated that he was “certain that they were illegal aliens because they didn’t speak English.”
“It’s reasonable suspicion that they don’t speak the language and they haven’t been here very long isn’t it? Why not?” Schaffer told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS.
The report also said Schaffer told police “they probably crossed over the Rio Grande and I don’t blame them, I would swim as fast as I could too.”
Police said by the time they arrived, the workers had left, so it’s uncertain if they had legal status.
When asked about why he made the comments, Schaffer compared illegal immigration to slavery.
“We got rid of slavery sir and economically we survived. We got rid of all that nice cheap labor in the south and share cropping and they adapted,” Schaffer said.
Bill Scott owns the home where police were called. As a Native American, Scott said he has been a victim of racism and was shocked to learn what Schaffer had said.
“I don’t believe people that are elected like that should be acting that carried away like that,” Scott said.
Schaffer told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that he stands by his phone call.
“They look the other way. We’re all looking the other way. I’m tired of looking the other way sir. I am tired mister and mister America of looking the other way,” he said.
Schaffer was censured by the council in December for an inappropriate sexual conversation he had with a 20-year-old woman at a city-sponsored event.
The city attorney will look into this incident.
Schaffer won the St. Francis City Council election in 2006. While the office is listed as non-partisan, the green party’s website lists Schaffer as a member.
Schaffer confirmed his political affiliation to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS Monday.