Two of the four NYPD detectives who were stripped of their guns and badges after surveillance footage allegedly showed them drinking wine at a Washington Heights restaurant while on duty have been ordered to go to rehab. The four detectives, all of whom have been placed on modified duty from the 33rd Precinct, were directed by the department to go to the facility upstate, according to DNAInfo. This comes as one of the detectives—Det. Douglas Strong—is also being investigated for questionable behavior towards a 36-year-old waitress in the back of Parrilla Steakhouse on Feb. 16.
The waitress, who has been interviewed by the Internal Affairs Bureau "at least five times" according to the Daily News, told investigators that Strong returned her underwear to her in a plastic bag the day after the alleged encounter. “The last thing I remember is him patting the bed and telling me to sit down next to him...I remember trying to slide away from him, bob and weave. He was like, ‘Come here, everything’s all right. I’m not gonna hurt you.’”
Strong has admitted to taking the waitress' panties: "She falls asleep and he covers her up with a blanket. He did not have sex with her. He did not have intercourse with her. Apparently, he did take her panties," his lawyer told the Post.
She also says the four detectives "were drinking excessive amounts of wine. Before I even came to the table they must have polished off two bottles." This contradicts the NY Post's police sources, who claimed all the men were "fit for duty," as if they hadn't been drinking much at all. The waitress admits to drinking three glasses of wine "and some shots."
Strong's lawyer insisted his client only had “three sodas and one glass of wine.” The NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau and Manhattan DA’s Office continue to investigate the incident. Detective Endowment Association President Michael Palladino commented: “I know some administrative issues exist. However, his conduct does not rise to the level of a crime, especially rape.”
Meanwhile, State Sen. Adriano Espaillat and City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez have called for Parrilla Steakhouse—which has received more than 400 noise complaints over the past five years—to be shuttered: “With the accusations of sexual assault against these four NYPD detectives, the situation has taken a troubling turn for the worse,” Rodriguez said. “We are calling for this restaurant to be closed down, before it brings any more negative activity to our neighborhood.”
