NYC has a proud tradition of endlessly amusing local TV news anchors and reporters getting in trouble, from Adele Sammarco to Ernie Anastos to Rosanna Scotto, and today we have a new name to be added to that illustrious list. WPIX/Channel 11 reporter Vince DeMentri, who recently said he felt like "one of the bad boys, part of the '70s Oakland Raiders," is facing an assault charge for slapping the Bahamian UN ambassador’s chauffeur, in true NY-style, over a parking spot.
On Wednesday afternoon, DeMentri, 46, complained to driver Hurley Senanayake, who was waiting to pick up ambassador Paulette Bethel, that he was parked in an NYP zone, reserved for New York Press, on Third Avenue and East 41st Street near his WPIX office. When the driver refused to move, DeMentri allegedly slapped him across the face, and drove off. According to the Post, after filing a complaint with police, "the driver was treated at New York Hospital-Queens with pain and soreness to his cheek and neck." DeMentri was given a desk appearance ticket for third-degree assault.
This isn't the first piece of notoriety for DeMentri, who has bounced between several news stations during his career, despite never being convicted of any crimes. While with WCBS in 2001, he impersonated an ATF agent to get past police barricades at WTC; while in Philly at WCAU, he was suspended for an "angry run-in" with the local weatherman (over flooding reportage, no less!); in August 2008, he was accused of stealing items from a co-worker; and recently, he was forced to make an on-air correction after the Port Authority called him out over an erroneous story. Factoring in this latest incident, it looks like DeMentri's chicken is just about fucked.
