PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — A Palm Beach County employee has been placed on administrative leave after being accused of making an antisemitic gesture and statement toward a Jewish motorist while in a county-owned vehicle. In a statement, County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo called the accusation "deeply troubling" and confirmed that an immediate investigation is underway.
WATCH BELOW: Palm Beach County worker on leave after 'deeply troubling' antisemitism allegation
The incident gained widespread attention after the anti-Jewish discrimination watchdog group StopAntisemitism posted a photo online that appears to show a county worker making a hand gesture known as a Nazi salute. The post also alleged the employee yelled, "Heil Hitler."
Watchdog Group Demands Action
WPTV reporter Michael Hoffman reached out to the watchdog group, whose founder, Liora Rez, provided a full statement calling for the employee's termination if the allegations are confirmed.
"StopAntisemitism is appalled that a man driving a Palm Beach County building-services truck allegedly shouted 'Heil Hitler' at a Jewish motorist and made a Nazi salute," Rez said. "This vile antisemitic conduct demands an immediate investigation. If the allegations are confirmed and the individual is a county employee, he must be terminated."
County Launches Immediate Investigation
A county spokesperson confirmed to WPTV's Michael Hoffman that the man in the photo is an employee with the Building Division and released a comprehensive statement on the matter.
"Palm Beach County has been made aware of the deeply troubling allegations involving a County employee and has initiated an immediate investigation," the statement said. "The employee has been placed on administrative leave pending the completion of the investigation and a due process hearing, consistent with the protections afforded to merit system employees."
The statement included a direct message from County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo: “Any employee who engages in antisemitic conduct should understand one thing extremely clearly. If they haven’t been paying attention, they have the wrong County Administrator for that kind of conduct. There is no place for antisemitism, hatred or discrimination in Palm Beach County government.”
The county concluded, "The County will follow all required personnel procedures while addressing this matter promptly and appropriately. Because this is an active personnel matter, we will not comment further on the specific facts until the appropriate process has been completed."
Community Leaders Condemn Alleged Act
The Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County also responded. Its President and CEO, Michael Hoffman, stated that the organization is in direct contact with county officials.
"Antisemitism has no place in our community," Hoffman said in a statement. "Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, through our Palm Beach Center to Combat Antisemitism & Hatred, has been in direct contact with county officials, and we appreciate that they are taking this disturbing incident seriously and actively investigating the matter. We will remain in close communication as the investigation moves forward and are continuing our work with community partners to confront antisemitism and hatred wherever it occurs. This is exactly why the Palm Beach Center was created: to ensure our community is prepared to address hatred before it occurs."
A 'Troubling Situation' in Palm Beach County
State Rep. Debra Tendrich, a Jewish lawmaker representing parts of Palm Beach County, told WPTV's Michael Hoffman the issue is deeply personal and reflects a larger problem.
"It's hate, and it's antisemitism, and there's no excuses for it," Tendrich said.
According to Tendrich, Palm Beach County accounted for 30% of all assaults against Jewish people across Florida in 2025, a statistic she called a "troubling situation" that needs to end.
"We deserve to be safe where we live, work, and play," Tendrich stated. "We will not let hate intimidate us into silence, and that we're going to continue forward as a unified front to make sure that we do combat anti-Semitism and make sure that we can educate people about what it means to be anti-Semitic and how it is affecting the Jewish population here."
WPTV's Michael Hoffman has requested the findings of the county's investigation once it is complete.
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