Ex-Obama Adviser, Seldowitz, Arrested; NYPD Probes Hate Crime
TL/DR –
Stuart Seldowitz, a former Obama administration adviser, was arrested and charged with hate crimes after allegedly harassing a food vendor in Manhattan over his Egyptian heritage and Islamic faith. The incident, which was caught on camera, led to Seldowitz facing one count of aggravated harassment of race or religion and four counts of stalking as a hate crime. Despite the allegations, Seldowitz claimed he did not threaten or intimidate anyone but admitted to overreacting and regretting what he said.
Manhattan Hate Crime Incident Involving Former Obama Adviser
A former Obama administration adviser, Stuart Seldowitz, was arrested on Wednesday and now faces hate crime charges after a filmed confrontation at a Manhattan halal cart, according to police reports.
Seldowitz, who resides near the halal cart, was reportedly seen in several videos harassing the vendor about his Egyptian origins and Islamic faith. He was subsequently terminated from his position at the lobbying and communications firm Gotham Government Relations.
Based on the filmed evidence, the NYPD initiated a hate crime investigation. Charged with aggravated harassment of race or religion and four counts of stalking as hate crimes, Seldowitz was silent when escorted from the 19th Precinct in handcuffs.
The halal cart employee, Mohammed Hussein, resumed his duties on Wednesday after filing a complaint of aggravated harassment against Seldowitz, who he had filmed on multiple occasions. The halal cart located at the junction of Second Avenue and East 83rd Street, has reportedly been the scene of several clashes in recent weeks.
Islam Moustafa, co-owner of the halal cart, spoke of his distress over the incidents. He noted that multiple online videos show Seldowitz interacting with the halal cart vendor at various times and in different clothing, although the exact timing and frequency of these incidents are unclear.
Witness Zak Ettamymy described the incidents as harassment and mentioned his attempts to intervene. Seldowitz acknowledged in a phone interview with ABC News that he had overreacted and expressed regret, but denied any threats or intimidation.
Halal cart workers expressed their awaiting a face-to-face apology from Seldowitz. Despite the lack of an apology, there was a show of support for Hussein on Wednesday, with friends and strangers gathering at a plastic table provided by a loyal customer.
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