Crime & Safety
SEE: UWS Landlord Attacks Reporters Investigating Heat Complaints
An Upper West Side landlord when NY1 journalists began asking questions about heating problems reported by his tenants, video shows.
UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — An Upper West Side landlord attacked a television news crew on camera when they tried to ask him about the building tenants said has been without heating for months.
Mike Rose slapped a microphone out NY1 reporter Michael Herzenberg's hands during an interview at the landlord's liquor store Tuesday night, the wild video shows.
"Alright that's enough," the landlord says before attacking. A stunned Herzenberg replies, "What are you doing?"
Find out what's happening in Upper West Sidefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Landlord/owner # didn’t like me @NY1 asking him why his tenants have #noheat He blames @conedison saying he tries to get the 2 buildings fixed everyday, but @nyccouncil @marklevinenyc says utility told him it’s the owner’s fault. @nypd charged owner Mike Rose w/Criminal Mischief pic.twitter.com/xGDz6FAoiS
— Michael Herzenberg (@MHerzenberg) November 13, 2019
The confrontation moved out into the sidewalk and escalated when Rose punched one of his building's tenant leaders in the face, NY1 reported.
Rose was arrested and charged with assault and criminal mischief, according to the report.
Find out what's happening in Upper West Sidefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The news crew began investigating Rose after tenants at this three West 106th Street buildings told the news station they have been living without heat and cooking gas since May, NY1 reported.
Rose insisted that Con Ed was to blame for the outage, but local elected officials and tenants said the landlord didn't file the proper forms with the utility company.
Read the full NY1 article here.
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