Wife of Riverhead official under fire for Facebook racist rant

<p>Diane Delaney wrote multiple racial slurs about African Americans telling them to &quot;go back to Africa.&quot;</p>

News 12 Staff

Oct 16, 2017, 7:29 PM

Updated 2,387 days ago

Share:

The wife of a top official in the Town of Riverhead is under fire for a racist rant she allegedly posted on social media.  
The reaction has been swift to the Facebook post by Dianne Delaney, wife of Riverhead Town Attorney Robert Kozakiewicz. It had been shared hundreds of times by this morning.
In the post, Delaney uses a racial slur to describe people she saw while out to dinner at a local pizzeria. She goes on to say they should "go back to Africa.”
Reached at his home for comment, Kozakiewicz apologized, saying he's "very, very sorry" and that he's "devastated" by what his wife wrote. He also says the couple is having "troubles."
"It's not something I support. Anyone that knows me knows it's not me, it's not my family, it's not my children, it's not something I support or endorse, it's inexcusable," Kozakiewicz says.
Kozakiewicz, who has been the town attorney since 2011, said his wife could not speak with News 12.
Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter stands by Kozakiewicz, saying he's a good employee and a Christian husband who has been helping his wife deal with some issues.
"There's very few people in this world that would stand with his wife through this time of mental illness, of alcoholism. So the residents can be assured we have a role model in the town attorney's office and not someone who is a racist bigot," Walter says.
Some residents are calling for Kozakiewicz to resign. But Supervisor Walter says there's no reason for it and he wouldn't accept the resignation if he tried.


More from News 12
2:22
Police: Grandfather, 6-month-old grandson killed by fallen tree in Verona

Police: Grandfather, 6-month-old grandson killed by fallen tree in Verona

1:56
STORM WATCH: Cloudy with cooler temps in New Jersey; tracking evening rain showers

STORM WATCH: Cloudy with cooler temps in New Jersey; tracking evening rain showers

2:10
Authorities: 1 man dead in Jersey City shooting

Authorities: 1 man dead in Jersey City shooting

0:29
Prosecutors: Man, woman charged with leaving 2 toddlers in car while attending a wine tasting

Prosecutors: Man, woman charged with leaving 2 toddlers in car while attending a wine tasting

0:35
Prosecutors: 2 drivers charged with vehicular homicide in fatal Route 35 crash in Eatontown

Prosecutors: 2 drivers charged with vehicular homicide in fatal Route 35 crash in Eatontown

0:24
Need a ride for an appointment? Monmouth County introduces wellness transportation program

Need a ride for an appointment? Monmouth County introduces wellness transportation program

0:28
Cliffside Park man accused of leaving fire burning inside his apartment

Cliffside Park man accused of leaving fire burning inside his apartment

1:27
Best of New Jersey: A taste of Italy at Matera's Italian Market in Rutherford

Best of New Jersey: A taste of Italy at Matera's Italian Market in Rutherford

0:16
Ridgewood school district announces extended Memorial Day weekend thanks to unused snow days

Ridgewood school district announces extended Memorial Day weekend thanks to unused snow days

0:22
E-ZPass warns of text message scam targeting customers

E-ZPass warns of text message scam targeting customers

0:23
Looking to complain about the smelly Tinton Falls landfill? There's a number for that

Looking to complain about the smelly Tinton Falls landfill? There's a number for that

8:55
Guide: Ways to set your child up for financial success

Guide: Ways to set your child up for financial success

0:29
Officials: Former Rutgers football player killed in shooting incident in Hoboken

Officials: Former Rutgers football player killed in shooting incident in Hoboken

1:51
New Jersey sees more than 150 aftershocks since April 5 4.8 magnitude earthquake

New Jersey sees more than 150 aftershocks since April 5 4.8 magnitude earthquake

0:45
Jersey Proud: Make-A-Wish celebrates 44th anniversary with ‘World Wish Day’

Jersey Proud: Make-A-Wish celebrates 44th anniversary with ‘World Wish Day’

0:27
Report: Hudson Tunnel Project to create 95,000 new jobs, generate billions in revenue

Report: Hudson Tunnel Project to create 95,000 new jobs, generate billions in revenue

6:00
be Well: ‘Breakfast Club’ comedian Jess Hilarious opens up about how she’s preparing for motherhood

be Well: ‘Breakfast Club’ comedian Jess Hilarious opens up about how she’s preparing for motherhood

0:31
Prosecutor: Man faces human trafficking charges following assault of 13-year-old girl

Prosecutor: Man faces human trafficking charges following assault of 13-year-old girl

2:10
Officials: Car thief crashes into Newark bar, injuring 2 people

Officials: Car thief crashes into Newark bar, injuring 2 people

1:51
Atlantic City aims to get emergency sand replacement due to winter erosion on beaches

Atlantic City aims to get emergency sand replacement due to winter erosion on beaches