VALLEY STREAM, N.Y. – A former local official in suburban New York says he was joking when he posted on Facebook that some participants at last weekend's Women's March on Washington "should have been aborted."
Former Valley Stream Village Clerk Robert Barra made the comments Wednesday. He said Thursday that the comments were meant as a private joke but were shared by someone anonymously.
A spokeswoman for Valley Stream Mayor Ed Fare said the 56-year-old Barra is no longer employed by the village. She said village officials share "the anger and disgust that Mr. Barra's personal and private statements have generated."
Reached at home, Barra said his retirement this week was "long planned."
Barra, a Republican, served in the New York state Assembly from 2000 to 2010.
His controversial comments were first reported by Newsday.
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