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Two Of Three Charges Dismissed Against Subway Pug Owner

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Jon Hill/Gothamist
Two citations issued to arrested pug owner Chrissie Brodigan were dismissed today in a hearing at the MTA's Transit Adjudication Bureau. Hearing Officer Alexander Fox ruled the citations—one for failure to provide identification and another for failure to have dog in a container—were invalid because they had been "materially altered" by Officer Joel Witriol, who was absent from the hearing. Copies of the tickets given to Brodigan list 3:51 p.m. as the time the citations were issued, but official copies turned in by Officer Witriol to the Bureau showed the time was crossed out and changed to 4:51 p.m.

Such after-the-fact alterations can automatically invalidate a ticket, which Brodigan thinks wasn't an accident, "It is hard for me to believe that Officer Witriol did not realize that by altering my citations after he gave them to me that he was essentially invalidating all of them." Brodigan—who is still looking for work after being fired from her Plum TV job as a result of the arrest fallout—was also disappointed Witriol did not appear (and therefore could not be questioned) at the hearing.

She has filed a complaint against the officer with the NYPD's Civilian Complaint Review Board, which may consider the invalid tickets during its investigation of misconduct. A third charge against Brodigan for disorderly conduct is still pending and will be heard in criminal court in late August.

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Comments [rss]

  • RegoParker

    LOL! Oh my, now I 'lack balls.. hiding behind an obscure identity".. and "have nothing going on in my life.."

    Nice one! Only you've forgotten that if I'm here hiding behind an obscure identity, then you are following me, spending your time creating your very own anonymous identity SOLELY to reply to me! Kettle, Pot.. Pot.. Kettle. Ditto for your "get a life" mantra. Yes, you've said that many times, thank you. Kettle, Pot, etc.

    1. "Act like a woman please" - Is not a reason to walk away from a police officer when youre being stopped for violating the law. It's an attempt to reframe the situation as another case of Chrissie As Perpetual Victim. Sorry, there's no misogyny here. Instead of accepting responsibility, you defend breaking the law. Next time a cop tries stopping you, I suggest you walk away, and then when you're handcuffed, just say, "he was looking at me all weird. I thought he was a misogynist. Or some other term you pulled out of your Sociology 101 text. Bottom line, you fail to accept any responsibility for unloading on a cop without provocation and walking way from him as he's asking questions.

    2. Having a sick dog on the subway is terrible for the dog and owner. Here's a tip - don't take a sick dog in a carrier in the heat and crowd and it won't vomit. Chrissie caused her dog to become sick and then made it EVERYONE'S problem on the subway because, as with every other part of this story - SHE is the only person who matters.

    3. The "witnesses" first claimed they 'saw everything'.. then one said she had to run upstairs to make phone calls during the incident. Her boyfriend, the photographer, later said that he was there for "MOST" of the incident. So much for their credibility when it comes to stating what was and wasn't said.

    4. "Dumbass cop"??? Were you there? Do you know him? Or are you relying totally on Chrissie's constantly changing stories to defame someone who was doing their job? I know the answer. The union does provide lawyers to cops who are more often than not falsely accused. The CCRB has a very low percentage of any action taken against a cop because so many people inflate, exaggerate and make up claims to attempt to get them off the hook. Brodigan has a lawyer and she said she was suing the NYPost, etc. Has she sued her previous employers as well for similar situations? Let us know, please. It might be a pattern...

    5. As far as I can tell, Brodigan did a handful (or less) of some tiny internet pieces for Plum TV. Plum TV fired her and said it had nothing to do with the allegations of her anti-semitic remarks. Maybe she was fired because she said she was too ill to work, and then she was appearing on TV programs and seeing out interviews all day? If she worked for me and called in sick and I saw her mincing around Times Square, looking fit and happy, I'd fire her too. Oh, since you know her so well, how many other times was she fired? Maybe there's a pattern emerging here...

    6. Ethnicity was brought into this by the NY Post's witness. Brodigan didn't deny it. Who the hell doesn't deny saying something they didnt say? Chrissie wants you to believe :

    - that she might have said it

    - that she didn't know he was Jewish (YOU say he was obviously Jewish, Chrissie initially said she DIDNT NOTICE his religion!)

    - that she didnt remember saying it

    - that she absolutely definitely never said it and that she was a civil rights scholar.

    7. Post Traumatic Stress - WHAT IS YOUR POINT? That because she was stressed by a situation that she created herself that this entitles her to lie? This whole statement of yours is a flying leap into the uncorroborated spin/BS that I'm talking about here.

    - There is NO evidence of any beating

    - There are NO charges of any beating/spitting against any of Chrissie's cell mates.

    - If she was beaten in jail, where are the photos?

    - If she was punched in the back, where are the photos? You know the witnesses incl. photographer were there the WHOLE TIME!!!

    - By the way, you claim there was a beating. Chrissie herself said the officer MIGHT have gone too far. Get it? MIGHT. Also means "MIGHT NOT". You should look at Chrissies words before you form your opinions.



    8. Viane Delgado - There are many Viane Delgados across the USA, according to intelius.com. Just because the NY Post didn't share her contact information with you or Gothamist, doesnt mean the NY Post concocted her out of thin air. They could have just as easily said, "a source tells us that a witness reported...".. But they named her. Just because Gothamist cant find her doesnt mean she doesnt exist.

    So, in conclusion, I expect you/Chrissie to continue to ignore all of the facts, most of which are her admissions, and to slander the officer, and defend your position with the word "Suckit".

    I don't think I'll seek out Chrissie via social media. (She keeps deleting herself from so many sites it's hard to keep track anyway.)

    She tends to marry guys she meets within a week and then divorce them soon after, and I want something longer term, you know? [And the squeaky voice, frozen-face smile and bingo arms would weird me out.] Happy now?

    Get a life! :) And thank you for taking the time to sign up for an account here, appropriate part of my user name and hound me. Hey, I think YOU may actually love me!!

    XOXOXOXO

  • Manitoba2

    Dude - step away from the keyboard, go outside, and go get a beer. You're crossing into crazy-town.

  • nyorker555

    Rego its totally cool to be interested in a news item and blog about it! No harm done.

    I dont think there's "evidence" of anything -- that's your word choice not mine! He didnt show up for the hearing and he altered the tickets after the fact. C'mon now -- That's not the best way to look blameless.



  • RegoParker

    NYorker - Brodigan said these typos resulting in the dismissals on the two citations "vindicated" her. You wrote, "the slightly altered tickets (altered after the violations were handed out) make the police officer look like he's hiding something."

    You know, there were several police and several witnesses at the scene, and Brodigan herself was at the hearing. All she had to do was say, "Judge, in the interest of being honest and truthful, I will confirm that the incident took place at 4:51pm, not 3:51pm. Officer Witriol made a typo. Now lets go forward with the facts and I will make my case for having these tickets dismissed."

    Nope. Instead she escaped responsibility for her actions and then, because of a lucky break which she took advantage of, starting writing more garbage on the net, claiming her positing was vindicated.

    Only her case was not heard. NOTHING was 'vindicated'. That she wouldn't just walk away and thank her lucky stars for the typos wasn't enough, she had to continue throwing stones at the officer.

    As for Witriol not showing up at the hearing - what does that mean? That his boss didn't want him to waste a half day for a $100 fine? That he made plans to celebrate that Jewish holiday (mentioned above), that he was on vacation? that he wasn't notified? That the boss told him not to bother as her lawyer would get the citations dismissed because of the typos?

    With all the witnesses to the exact time and place, it's ridiculous to believe that Witriol intentionally entered the incorrect time - on purpose.

    Brodigan is still due back in court on the other charge - we'll see if he shows for that.

  • regoparkerrocks

    Woah, what did this girl do to you? You're awfully obsessed with this story and this girl. I'm compelled to point out a few things:

    1.) This all started when she couldn't find her photo ID fast enough, but it's clear that he never told her why she needed it to begin with - and, didn't include a reason for why she was asked for ID on her ticket, so it would have been dismissed anyway. Why pay a fine if you didn't do something wrong to begin with? Cops have to follow procedures - is he just a bad or dumb cop? A cop that can't follow basic ticketing directions isn't someone we want with a gun is it?

    2.) Is it against the law to walk away from a cop and say something rude like "fuck off" if he's not writing a ticket? No. Dumb? Yes. Illegal? No.

    3.) If Witriol showed up at the hearing his testimony could be used against him by the CCRB, and don't you think his union lawyers want him to shut the f up? And, since you've been out there gathering evidence you've heard that there was no police report filed - right?

    5.) As for her story? Ever occur to you that she might have been dealing with some sort of post-traumatic stress? Or, do you think she gets beaten and arrested often enough that she should be used to it? Violence against women in any situation is F'd up. Did he think she was going to run away with a dog in her arms? Lame.

    6.) And Ray did tell the press last week that he feels that Brodigan was handled too roughly.

    Seriously though - what did she do to you? I mean, you hate this girl with a fierce passion. Or is it that you love her and she hates you?

  • RegoParker

    This is how you handful of Chrissie's Pals all support your friend. By ignoring all of the facts in the case and trying to discredit those who back up their words with the facts.

    I am not 'obsessed' with Brodigan, I don't hate her.

    I feel sorry for her, and find her repulsive in every way.

    Having said that, and having played your game, here are replies to your points:

    1 & 2. This did not "all start" when she couldn't find her photo ID fast enough. Chrissie herself said that she WALKED AWAY FROM THE OFFICER. By all accounts, while being observed violating the law (Chrissie admits she was breaking the law) she was asked politely to produce her ID, and in response she walked away from the officer.

    Is it illegal to walk away from and curse at a Police officer when youre being stopped? You tell me, legal genius.

    Your question assumes that she "didnt do something wrong" - and your question is therefore not a valid one. She herself admits to resisting arrest. Carrying any animal on the subway without a carrier is against the law. No one is arguing that point.

    3. You make a lot of assumptions and draw conclusions about the officer not appearing at a hearing over two inconsequential tickets. You have no idea why he didn't attend, and neither do I. My educated guesses make more sense to me than do yours.

    5. As for Chrissie's story being a result of post traumatic stress disorder... what are you saying? That because she has some psychological issues, she's entitled to lie?

    While its true that there are a lot of posters on this, the NY Post and other forums claiming to know Chrissie from here, DC and VA and suggest she has a long history of these kinds of behaviors, no one has said her PTSD caused her to lie in this incident.

    Her story certainly has "evolved" though, and the questions I asked above regarding her numerous contradictory statements to all sorts of media - remain unanswered, even by someone who claims to be Chrissie's friend.

    ie:

    - I dont remember calling Witriol anti-semitic names

    ..later:

    - I didn't even know he was Jewish

    ..later:

    - I never called him anti-semitic names...

    and:

    - He was obviously Jewish..

    and...

    - I was fired by Plum TV for these anti-Semitic remarks

    and...

    PlumTV: Brodigan's firing had NOTHING to do with the allegations of her comments..

    - - - - - -

    with regard to her phony 'beatdown' by Witriol - she claimed he twisted her breasts, punched her in the back, and that she was put in a cell with three prisoners who beat her.

    Where is ANY corroboration for THAT? Hello, witnesses who were on the scene the whole time - where are the photos of Chrissie being punched in the back? Where are the complaints of assault against her three cellmates?

    ..etc...etc...

    Yet, people like you still come back here, talk about *me* and ignore what this discussion is supposed to be about.

  • regoparkerrocks

    The discussion should be facts v fiction. But, you seem to be obsessed with Brodigan or at least denigrating her - don't you have more going on in your life to be compelled by?

    FACTS:

    1. Brodigan walked away when the cop said, "You want to act like a woman, I'm going to treat you like a woman." Would you want your mom, girlfriend, sister, etc. to hang around and be treated that way by a cop?

    2. Having a sick dog out of a bag is humane NOT illegal. Don't you think the cop overreacted by putting handcuffs on her? How do you produce ID if you're cuffed?

    3. Witnesses who took photos testified to the CCRB and back Brodigan's story up. CCRB has the 911 call placed by the witnesses who were trying to get help for Brodigan.

    4. Dumbass cop altered all 3 tickets & didn't go to the hearings - WTF? If she was so guilty why not show up? He didn't show up because anything he says goes to the CCRB, which is investigating has more than 4 complaints against him. He has a lawyer and a union making sure he doesn't fuck things up anymore for the department. What does Brodigan have?

    5. Brodigan lost her job after being suspended pending an investigation into the NY Post's claims of bigotry, and the day she had her hearing her CEO/boss at Plum TV was fired. Coincidence?

    6. Cop was obviously Jewish, but why bring ethnicity into the discussion at all? The only reason it came into play was because the NY Post created a story. Do you think Brodigan was more focused on his ethnicity or her pug? Do you know Brodigan to be a bigot? That's a hell of claim if you have no evidence (your word) to back that up.

    7. Post Traumatic Stress, have you ever had it? The last time you were beaten, handcuffed, violated, and jailed - did you have a press release ready to defend yourself against another assault by the press. Having a dog out of a bag and then having to answer absurd questions of bigotry made by a tabloid is a leap.

    8. Viane Delgado, the Post's witness who started the story of Brodigan yelling racial slurs, has not been found to date. There is no record of her existence.

    As for Brodigan's background - wtf? (again) how long have you known this girl? Do you believe everything you read online? Is it possible that people are just assholes who go out to cause trouble? Does everybody you've ever met think you're remarkable?

    Suckit Rego. Suckit. If it's such an issue for you maybe you should give her a call yourself, she's all over social media - surely you can find a more direct way to fuck with her than below the fold here, but I'm going to guess that you'll keep venting about her behind an obscure identify because you lack the lack the balls Brodigan so clearly has.

  • RegoParker

    I'm not pro-Witriol, I'm anti- trying to ruin an officer's career with lies. Lies that Brodigan herself has fed to various blogs, TV stations, etc.

    Unfortunatley there are people like you out there who will take the bait - [note your earlier posting that making a typo on a citation from 3:41 to 4:41 is *evidence of a coverup.].

    I don't know either Brodigan or Witriol. I just hate what Brodigan has been trying to do and trying to get away with. Ultimately, she will fail, Witriol will be vindicated (as he already was by Ray Kelly) - but he's already been labeled a misogynist, there are people out there who believe he punched Chrissie in the back in broad daylight (where are the photos of that and the bruises?), that he threatened to kill her dog, also in a busy public place (where is the corroboration for that from these witnesses?) - that he handcuffed her and put her in a cell where she was beaten and spit on - where is Chrissies criminal complaint for being beaten in jail??? etc...

    Why not answer some of those real questions instead of making assumptions and trying to discredit the poster?

    Might make things less boring around here!

  • nyorker555

    a select few pro-Witriol people on this thread clearly have a _very_ personal axe to grind. That's fine since this is a blog. But they are boring.

  • johnieBK

    This broad should have been collared and sent through the system on the violation. I bet a night down at the "bookings" would have been an eye opening experience for her to say the least.

  • dgeee

    RegoParker is your typical pound of flesh nazi.

  • yytttt

    100!!! glad I could contribute.

  • Manitoba

    What happened to 99?

  • Son of Spam

    Officer Witriol wrote it, but then crossed it out.

  • wobbleSmith

    OMGTHISHAPPENEDTHREEWEEKSAGOTHISISTHEINTERNETWHYISITSTILLINTHEETHER?

  • felixthecat2

    maybe police should investigate RegoParker as one of the Chrissie's harassers. leave the woman alone, crazy zealots.

  • valeriob
  • wobbleSmith

    anything to deflect attention from your starry-eyed stalking campaign, eh pard?

  • valeriob

    Every time I come back here Rego Parker has already said everything I want to. Way to follow up and reply to idiots who would rather have feelings than hear facts.

    In a way I am relieved, but I still want people to know that this brodigan broad is nucking futs.

  • Gothampc

    Brodigan was also disappointed Witriol did not appear (and therefore could not be questioned) at the hearing.

    Well perhaps if they didn't ask a religious Jewish cop to appear on Tisha B'Av he could have made it.

    I wouldn't expect Brodigan to have any sensitivity towards someone else's belief system. It's all about her after all.

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