A former Montgomery Township police officer has settled a discrimination lawsuit against the township for $80,000 after alleging he faced antisemitic remarks and retaliation in the workplace.
According to the lawsuit, Officer Jason Clifford, who was the department’s only Jewish officer at the time, reported that a police sergeant made offensive comments about kosher food and Jewish traditions during a department barbecue in May 2024. An internal affairs investigation later found the sergeant had violated department policies and disciplinary action was taken.
Clifford claimed that after reporting the incident, he was passed over for multiple promotions to sergeant. While the township denied wrongdoing, it agreed to pay a total of $80,000 to resolve the case, with $62,500 going to Clifford and $17,500 covering his attorney’s fees.
As part of the settlement, Clifford agreed to dismiss his claims, retire from the department, and not seek future employment with Montgomery Township.
