Outside lawyers hired for probe of anti-Islamic tracts at jail

Suzan Clarke of the Lower Hudson Journal News continues her reporting on the case of a Rockland County jail chaplain accused of handing out tracts that insult Muslims. The investigation will be handled by outside attorneys:

Local Muslims called for the Rev. Teresa Darden Clapp's dismissal after they learned of allegations she distributed booklets that condemned Islam and contained derogatory depictions and descriptions of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad, including characterizing Allah as an "idol" and devil and Muhammad as a criminal and a "religious dictator."

Last week, the county's Law Department referred the investigation into the chaplain's actions to outside attorneys to maintain the integrity of the investigation and avoid any possible conflict, Rockland County Sheriff James Kralik said yesterday.

"Whatever my part in it, it's going to be totally impartial, I can guarantee that," he said. "This is going to be something that we're going to take a good, honest look at. When we have conclusions, they'll be based on fact."

The attorneys, Kevin J. Plunkett and Darius P. Chafizadeh of Thacher, Proffitt and Wood in White Plains, are expected to have some answers soon, Kralik said.

"We'll hope to have something by next week, but I'm just going to wait until they do it right, that's the most important thing," he said.

Clapp was suspended with pay April 12. She will continue to be paid until the investigation indicates otherwise, Kralik said.