(credit: Photo via Rutgers University. Screenshot via Israellycool.com)
A Rutgers University professor accused of posting anti-Semitic posts on his Facebook page issued an unusual defense on Thursday, saying his social media account was hacked and that he couldn’t say with confidence that all the posts were shared by him.
Michael Chikindas, a veteran professor in the food science department, allegedly posted anti-Israel and anti-Jewish rants on his page over several months, including some saying the Armenian genocide was orchestrated by Jews.
In an email to NJ Advance Media, Chikindas denied his Facebook posts were anti-Semitic and said his account, which he thought would only been seen by a small circle of friends, was hacked.
“As a result of my account being hacked, I cannot say with confidence that everything on my page was shared by me: There is a good chance for some things being placed on my page by those who hacked my account,” Chikindas said in an email sent to NJ Advance Media.
However, Chikindas did not deny sharing some of the cartoons, images and comments considered anti-Semitic.
Rutgers University officials are investigating the prominent professor for allegedly violating the campus’ anti-discrimination policy with his Facebook comments.