DEARBORN — Local Arab American leaders rejected a second letter submitted to them by 19th District Court Judge Richard Wygonik on Thursday addressing alleged offensive remarks he made during a July conversation with Dearborn Heights Councilman Tom Berry.

After meeting with a committee representing the Congress of Arab American Organizations in August, Wygonik and his attorney Noel Saleh agreed to draft a statement acknowledging having caused a “misunderstanding,” without admitting to having made all of the comments.

A first draft submitted at the end of August was rejected by the committee, who said it didn’t include a clear apology, and went on at too much length about Wygonik’s record of fair treatment in the courtroom — which they said was never an issue.

“The statement was not satisfactory to the committee,” said American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee Regional Director Imad Hamad, one of the CAAO members involved. “It was too long and included too many unnecessary details.”

The group offered an example of a simpler version that included an apology for any “misunderstanding” the conversation may have caused.

Saleh submitted a second letter on Thursday that he said he thought was closer to what the committee members were looking for. It was shorter and included an expression of regret toward the situation, but not an apology, because, Saleh said, Wygonik denies having made some of the alleged statements.

The judge admits to having made comments critical of fugitive former Dearborn businessman Talal Chahine, but denies, as asserted by Berry, making general or specific negative remarks about Arab American parents of Fordson High and Salina School students.

“If what they want is just the words ‘I apologize,’ they’re not going to get it,” said Saleh.

He said the judge “absolutely denies” having made “any blanket comments” disparaging Arab Americans.

Leaders again rejected the second version of a letter, demanding a clear apology for any “misunderstandings,” even if Wygonik doesn’t admit to all of the comments, though they do believe all of the alleged comments were made.

“We believe Tom Berry’s story, because it has been documented by other people who were present. And Tom Berry’s credibility should be enough,” said CAAO committee member Osama Siblani, who is also publisher of The Arab American News.

The visibly frustrated Siblani said the community will demand more from Wygonik.

“We will not get tired fighting for our community’s dignity and best interest. We will take our case to the community and they will be the judge,” he said.