Independent investigation finds no malicious intent in East Brunswick High School yearbook photo dispute

East Brunswick Public School officials say there was no malicious intent behind the use of a photograph of Muslim students to represent East Brunswick High School’s Jewish Student Association in the high school yearbook.

An independent investigation found that the use of the wrong photo was not intentional, but rather a deeply regrettable mistake.

Yaacov Brisman, the attorney who led the investigation, wrote in a statement: “Although (the ‘senior’ yearbook adviser) was mistaken about the date she placed the photo on the page, there is no denying that she placed it herself. Moreover, (the ‘senior’ yearbook adviser) acknowledged that she placed the wrong photo on the page. I found (her) credible and have no basis for believing that she acted out of racial, religious or political hostility toward Jewish or Muslim students.”

Brisman said the consultant was “careless at best, but her actions can also be considered negligent. She should have paid more attention to detail when selecting the photo.”