New York City Mayor Eric Adams suggested Tuesday that former Mayor Rudy Giuliani be investigated for filing a false police report for claiming he was assaulted by a heckler who clapped him on the back Sunday at a Staten Island grocery store.
“Someone needs to remind former Mayor Giuliani that falsely reporting a crime is a crime,” Adams told reporters, saying he’d watched security video that undercut Giuliani’s harrowing account.
Giuliani, 78, described being hit so hard it felt like being shot with a gun.
The heckler, who police said cried out “What’s up scumbag?” as he walked away from Giuliani, was arrested and spent more than 24 hours in jail before his arraignment Monday on misdemeanor charges including third-degree assault.
Adams said he thinks Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon “has the wrong person that he’s investigating.
“When you look at the video, the guy basically walked by and patted him on the back,” Adams said. “It was clear that he was not punched in the head. It was clear that it didn’t feel like a bullet. It was clear that he wasn’t about to fall to the ground.”
Adams and McMahon are Democrats.
Giuliani, a Republican, served as mayor from 1994 to 2001, gaining widespread praise for his leadership after 9/11. Now suspended from practicing law, he served as the personal lawyer for former President Donald Trump and took on a leading role in disputing the results of Trump’s 2020 election loss.
Sunday’s supermarket incident happened as Giuliani was campaigning for his son, Andrew, who is seeking the Republican nomination for governor in Tuesday’s primary.
McMahon’s office declined comment on Adams’ calls for an investigation into Giuliani. A message seeking comment was left with the New York City police department, where Adams once served as a captain.
Giuliani gave a profanity laced response when asked about Adams’ comments by the New York Post. He called the mayor a “scumbag.”
The heckler was released without bail Monday. He is due back in court Aug. 17. Court records indicate he is now represented by a private lawyer, who did not respond to a message seeking comment Tuesday. A public defender group that represented him at his arraignment decried the man’s arrest.
Giuliani was standing with a group of people when a man walking past reached out, touched his back with an open palm and then said something as he walked away.
Giuliani said the man accused him of being “a woman killer,” which he took to be a reference to the Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v. Wade.
In security video, Giuliani barely reacts when his back was touched, but speaking to fellow Republican radio host Curtis Sliwa on WABC, he said it felt “like somebody shot me.” Later, in a news conference on Facebook, he said it was “as if a boulder hit me.”
(AP)
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8 Responses
Also investigate Crazy Rudy Jr. for impersonating a politician in the Republican primary. Ran on his name only and acknowledged that was his only asset (aside from working as a gopher in the Trump WH).
Hey Eric’l, first try to do half the job this white “cracker” did as mayor before you open your trap!!!
Why is our affermative action Mayor using taxpayer money to pay his nepotism brother to “protect him from those roving white supremacists”?! What is Mr. Tough guy afraid of?
Adams should try focusing on repealing the false and insane c19 shot mandate that continues to tie up the city and is causing many to hasten their exits for Florida and other saner places. He should also get rid of the DA Alvin Bragg who is an insult to anyone with intelligence. There is no other way to stand for reform that has strength and meaning.
Additionally, not only was Giuliani apparently assaulted – the definition of assault is verbal abuse and threats, but he can also sue for battery. Had the defendant offered some positive thoughts, this might have a been calming experience, but his negative remarks couldn’t have elicited anything but fear at the time Giuliani was inappropriately slapped. Nobody in their right mind would immediately suspect anything less of a verbal assaulter who slapped someone where they could not perceive if a weapon hadn’t also been used. They would be naive and leaving themselves in danger.
Giuliani is a good man. A very good man. Let’s keep this in perspective and give him some credit for throwing the book at this totally improper jester for all it’s worth – and be thankful that he wasn’t more than an idiot with just a jesting slap in his mind.
Andrew Giuliani is also on the right track, running on the platform to disengage the abusive vaccine mandates. This is sensible and honest, and what the state of New York needs.
“do half the job”
Violent crime rates today are much lower under Adams than they ever were under Giuliani.
Mayor “All GQ, no IQ” Adams proving what a dummy he is. For goodness sake, Jewliani is almost 80 and this guy sides with perp?!
> ” falsely reporting a crime is a crime,”
Perhaps the mayor should be investigated for false reporting – nymag quotes Giuliani:
> “I didn’t file the complaint. His police department filed the report [from witness testimonies].”
Adams just showed that he’s with WOKESTERS by supporting the perp over the victim. I am 1000% if the exact same thing happened to Adams he would charge him with attempted murder and since he’s an African American they would charge the kid with a hate crime too.