Cops Threaten Reporter Over Parking Scandal Report

By Aaron Naparstek
Sep 5, 2006

How important are illegal parking perks to New York City government employees? The Daily News reports that CBS Channel 2’s Brendan Keefe received threatening late night phone calls for his continuing coverage of the Lower Manhattan government employee parking scandal. Keefe’s story focused specifically on police officer parking perks:

"Is it unsettling? Yes," Keefe said. "Is it intimidating? No."

The calls to his home came after his number was put on NYPD Rant, a Web site not affiliated with the NYPD in any way.

Two of the callers blocked their numbers; one didn’t. Keefe called him back, and the guy admitted he was an officer in Brooklyn.

Ch. 2 is consulting with its attorneys about filing a complaint with the NYPD, according to a spokeswoman.

"What we’re concerned about is there’s an attempt by some people, official or not, to intimidate us to get us off a story," Keefe said, vowing to not let go.

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