The primary passenger ever banned by the LIRR earned his infamous standing by sexually assaulting a pregnant conductor in a weird, wine-soaked incident, newly filed courtroom papers present.
The 26-year-old conductor, whose identify is being withheld by The Publish, was engaged on a westbound prepare Aug. 20, when she noticed Michael Harewood board on the Deer Park Station with a bottle of pink wine in hand, she stated in a Manhattan Supreme Courtroom submitting.
All hell apparently broke free when the conductor tried to gather Harewood’s fare.
Harewood, 48, declared he wanted to “cool off” and commenced pouring the wine throughout himself, in keeping with a MTA incident report included within the filings.
He then allegedly groped the conductor whereas asking if she had a boyfriend, in keeping with the report.
Subsequent, Harewood screamed at a mom and daughter on the prepare that “they had been racist for not wishing him a cheerful birthday” earlier than exiting on the Bethpage station.
He was arrested Sept. 9 for forcible touching, courtroom information present.
In November, Harewood took a plea deal within the case that included a two-year ban from the LIRR — the primary such ban within the railroad’s historical past.
The ban was made doable by a state legislation handed in 2020 that allowed judges to ban folks from public transportation if convicted of crimes in opposition to transit employees or intercourse offenses in transit.
Harewood is banned from the LIRR till late 2024, however the conductor says she’s been unable to return to work for the reason that delivery of her baby.
She’s struggled with PTSD and nervousness within the wake of the assault and claims the MTA has failed to answer her requests for a “no-contact” place, reminiscent of a job in a prepare yard.
The conductor’s lawyer plans to sue the MTA for misplaced wages and stated within the courtroom papers she desires a decide to provide her extra time to file her case.
The MTA ought to do extra to safeguard transit employees, stated the conductor’s lawyer, Philip Dinhofer.
“They’re not doing something to guard these prepare crews,” Dinhofer informed The Publish. “I’m not conscious of any single measure to boost the safety of the prepare crew on the prepare.
The MTA declined to touch upon the case.
