Complaint #200412910,
December 23, 2004

Summary

On December 23, 2004 at approximately 5:30 pm, [redacted] and his friend [redacted] got into a dispute with TGIF manager [redacted] and a bartender inside TGI Friday's at 34th Street and 8th Avenue in Manhattan. The dispute was over the bill, which the bartender claimed they did not pay. [redacted] argued with [redacted] stating that he had paid, and [redacted] informed him that he was calling the police. [redacted] then argued with the bartender over the same matter.
PO Robinson (whose name [redacted] read off of his nameplate and provided to the investigation) responded to the location with his partner, later identified as PO Lanzisero. PO Robinson told everyone to be quiet. PO Lanzisero spoke to the bartender about what happened, and PO Robinson spoke to [redacted] to get his version of the story. PO Robinson then told [redacted] that he would have to pay the outstanding bill or he would be arrested. [redacted] refused, and PO Robinson repeated his options. [redacted] agreed to pay the bill.
PO Robinson, PO Lanzisero, [redacted] and [redacted] walked downstairs and [redacted] began to walk out of the restaurant when PO Robinson waved him back inside. [redacted] went back in and PO Robinson tried to explain to him that the reason they had been made to pay is because there was no way to check if they had paid. [redacted] was not interested and stated that he wanted to know PO Robinson's name and badge number. PO Robinson told him to shut up and waved his finger in his face. [redacted] argued with PO Robinson, but was calm and did not raise his voice. He stated that he may have "pissed off" PO Robinson because he seemed calm and, "too smart for my own good." PO Robinson told [redacted] "if you say anything else I'm going to arrest you." [redacted] asked him again for his name and shield, and PO Robinson responded "that's it" and grabbed him by the shoulder and chest area, turned him around and slammed him face-first against the wall of the restaurant lobby and handcuffed him. The lobby was approximately 6 ft.... Read report for details.