Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino has resigned, one day after a recording of him making racist comments surfaced -- setting off a slew of calls for him to step down.
A brief, three paragraph statement was released at about 3 p.m. Friday by a spokesman for Saudino saying the resignation is effective "this date and at this time."
Executive Undersheriff George Buono, Undersheriff Robert Colaneri, Undersheriff Brian Smith and Undersheriff Joseph Hornyak also submitted their resignations effective immediately, the statement says. It did not provide an explanation for their resignations.
Sheriff's Office Chief Kevin Pell will be the officer-in-charge of the sheriff's department's operations, and Bergen County Sheriff's Office Warden Steve Ahrendt will be the officer-in-charge of the Bergen County jail's operations until Gov. Phil Murphy appoints an interim sheriff, the statement says.
Thursday, WNYC released a recording of Saudino discussing Murphy's inauguration. In the recording, he can be heard making remarks about African Americans, the state's Sikh Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, and Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver.
In reference to Murphy's January inauguration speech, Saudino reportedly said, "He talked about the whole thing, the marijuana, sanctuary state ... better criminal justice reform. Christ almighty, in other words, let the blacks come in, do whatever the f--k they want, smoke their marijuana, do this do that, and don't worry about it. You know, we'll tie the hands of cops."
He also said Grewal only got his job because he wears a turban, and asked if Oliver was gay, noting she's never been married, the report said.
In a statement Friday, Grewal said his office will consider an investigation into the sheriff's office in light of the comments.
"The fact that a top official could make racist comments about the African-American community - and that no one in the room would challenge or correct him - raises serious concerns," Grewal said.
His office, he said, "will work with the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office to examine whether there are deeper issues that warrant a wider investigation."
According to his biography on the sheriff's office website, Pell -- who will be running office operation on an interim basis -- has been in law enforcement since 1992. He was promoted chief of the sheriff's office in 2016 by Saudino.
Gov. Phil Murphy in a statement Friday said he will appoint "an interim sheriff who can rebuild the public's trust. The Bergen County Sheriff's Office is home to countless dedicated officers who no doubt were as horrified and disappointed by their former boss's comments as we were."
Who is Michael Saudino?
In a statement Thursday night, Saudino apologized for the comments, and did not dispute their validity. In the statement, he resisted calls to step down from Murphy, Grewal, and countless other state officials, politicians, police unions, and others.
"These remarks are not representative of the person that I am and they are in no way consistent with the manner in which I have conducted my life personally and as a law enforcement professional with over 46 years of service to the residents of Bergen County," he said in the statement.
He did not release comments with Friday's announcement.
The Bergen County Sheriff oversees a budget of $79.8 million, or about 15 percent of the county's total finances, and 600 employees. The county is home to more than 948,000 people.
Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AllisonPries. Find NJ.com on Facebook.