Chief George Casaletto wore thick circular glasses and dressed as a Chinese food container during the event at the Gramercy Lakeside Manor
KEYPORT-- A roast by the chief of police to honor the outgoing chief of the fire department has drawn criticism from civil-rights organizations for playing on Asian stereotypes, according to app.com.
But fire Chief Eugene Eng, the target of the roast and who is of Chinese descent, said he was not offended by the routine and actually came up with the idea with his girlfriend, the report said.
On Jan. 28, Chief George Casaletto wore thick circular glasses and dressed as a Chinese food container during the event at the Gramercy Lakeside Manor in Hazlet. The event was being held to honor Eng, who served as chief of Keyport Engine 1.
During the roast, which was recorded on a cell phone, Casaletto made a series of jokes playing on Chinese-style names and other remarks in that vein.
Eng, who described Casaletto as a lifelong friend, said the comments were not meant to be demeaning but were typical of the "banter" between the two, the report said.
But the state chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans say the roast was deeply offensive, the report said.
Borough Administrator Stephen Gallo said no formal complaints have been filed but the incident is being reviewed.
Casaletto had previously come under scrutiny for a 2014 Facebook post in which he was accused of threatening Keyport Council President Joy-Michele Tomczak.
"Basically if you Lie to me, Steal from me or do harm to me or any of my loved ones you have crossed the CASALETTO LINE," the Facebook post said. "I cannot kill you so by law I must let them live but I can shut them out of every part of my personal life. Today Joy Michele Tomczak made that list."
WATCH: Keyport police chief controversy pic.twitter.com/64xhwZtgvs
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Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.