New Voice is Coming Forward: Continued Sexual Misconduct within Union City School District

A second former Union City student has now stepped forward publicly with disturbing allegations about his experiences as a high school football player at Emerson High School. Appearing live on investigative journalist Leroy Truth’s YouTube channel, along with Garden State Accountability, The Exposure Report, and another victim out of Leonia NJ and advocate for accountability, Mike Gonzalez; the individual — identified as former student and athlete Michael Torres — described incidents that he says occurred while he was on the team coached by Edwin Marinez.

Torres’ account, as described during the interview, closely parallels the allegations raised earlier this year by a first former student who publicly accused Marinez of misconduct, including exposing himself to minors. According to Torres, he experienced a similar incident inside the coach’s office and further alleges that he was subjected to bullying, aggravated assault, and sexual assault by teammates. He says he reported these experiences to multiple faculty members, but was not taken seriously.

He described one of his experiences as “you want to know what sexual assault is?…having put something up where it doesn’t go for men…”

“Marinez, he was exposed, he was exposed…what Marinez wanted was for me to look at his privates…he was suggesting, do you like what you see?”

“I’m hurt…I’m emotionally scared.”

“I cried today…because I have a son, I have a child and I don’t want him to go through that…”

“Eddie Marinez was just nasty. He’s a nasty individual.”

During the interview, Torres became visibly emotional, shedding tears as he recounted what he described as years of carrying these memories alone. He explained that he is a relative of a Union City Police lieutenant, but stated he will not identify the individual by name as of yet. Torres expressed personal criticism of his relative’s conduct in past incidents and further voiced his belief that corruption has persisted within the city’s policing culture over many years. He also referenced concerns about other high-ranking officers — without naming them, other than Mayor Brian Stack— whom he believes contributed to an environment where misconduct went unchallenged.

These are allegations, and they require independent investigation by appropriate authorities. What is clear is that voices that remained silent for decades are now choosing to speak — motivated, as Torres explained, by a desire for accountability and by the growing exposure of long-standing issues inside Union City’s political and educational systems.

For years, residents and community advocates have raised concerns about the concentration of political power in Union City under Mayor and State Senator Brian Stack, the influence he exerts over the Board of Education, and a climate that some say discourages transparency or reporting of misconduct. Whether these criticisms are justified is for investigators and oversight agencies to determine, but the increasing number of people now stepping forward suggests that the culture surrounding Union City’s leadership merits close scrutiny.

What matters most is that any victim, witness, or whistleblower feels safe to come forward. Allegations involving educators, coaches, or authority figures — especially those involving minors — must be handled with seriousness, transparency, and urgency. That requires action from law enforcement, state oversight bodies, and independent investigators who can evaluate claims impartially.

If others in the community have experienced misconduct, corruption, retaliation, or abuse, this may be the first time in years they feel empowered to speak. They should be encouraged to share their accounts with trusted legal counsel, advocacy organizations, or investigators who can protect them.

Union City’s institutions cannot move forward until every credible allegation is examined and until those responsible — if wrongdoing is confirmed — are held accountable. The era of silence appears to be ending. What comes next depends on whether the system finally responds.

A Direct Message from a Victim to Brian Stack

During the interview, Torres also delivered a sharp criticism of Union City’s political culture, directing his frustration toward the longstanding leadership of Mayor and State Senator Brian Stack. He said, expressing what he views as decades of favoritism, political patronage, and selective loyalty. They echo long-running public concerns about a system in which political power, policing, and public institutions overlap closely. Critics have argued for years that this environment discourages whistleblowers, shields misconduct, and protects the politically connected.

“Brian doesn’t care about his people born and raised in Union City… you care for the ones who come out of a boat… you care for the ones that make you have votes… you care for the ones who kiss your rear end…”

Watch the full interview on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/live/yV-KDbXkIvA?si=E9hPI9K4AsKtOykO