Nassau Man Claims LB's Top Cop Punched Him During Traffic Stop

A Syosset man has accused Long Beach Police Commissioner Michael Tangney of punching him in the face during a traffic stop, a claim that Tangney denies.

Kevin Holian, 64, a retired IRS worker, gave a statement to press over the phone on Thursday afternoon about the incident that he claims happened Tuesday morning around 10 a.m.

According to Holian and his attorney, Charo Ezdrin, he was driving home from visiting his 91-year-old mother in the Long Beach Nursing Home when he heard furious honking and shouting coming from a silver Lexus behind him. Holian said he pulled over, and that's when Tangney turned on his police lights.

Holian was taking pictures, and said that Tangney came over to his car with his identification, told him to keep his hands on the wheel and at the same time produce his license and registration. According to Holian, when he went to get his documents out of the glove compartment, Tangney reached into the car and punched him on the left side of his face.

After that, Holian said Tangney took his documents back to his car, and then a uniformed officer arrived. Tangney drove off after the other officer arrived, and Holian said Tangney gave him the finger as he drove by. When Holian said he told the officers that Tangney had hit him and that he was bleeding, he claims the officer said, "You're not bleeding. And I'm the only one here. There's no one else here." The officer issued Holian a ticket for driving through a stop sign.

Ezdrin produced a picture of the ticket that Holian was issued, which had a few red drops on it that she claims is her client's blood.

But according to Tangney, that's not at all how the encounter took place.

Tangney confirmed to Newsday that he did pull Holian over, but said he never touched the man. Tangney said that he left once the uniformed officer arrived, but not before he signed the ticket as a witness.

Holian's attorney said the Nassau County District Attorney's office is investigating the case, and that they're cooperating. The City of Long Beach also confirmed that the DA is investigating the incident.

"At this time...we're waiting on the Nassau County District Attorney to do a full investigation, and we're cooperating with them," Ezdrin said.

Tangney has been with the Long Beach Police Department for 40 years, and has been commissioner since 2012. Just earlier this week, it was announced that he would be the interim city manager while the City Council conducts a search for a replacement for Jack Schnirman.

Photos: Kevin Holian