Campaign to Stop the False Arrests
2008-2009 Chronology

Friday October 10, 2008 7:15pm
Robert Pinter arrested outside Blue Door Video Store in the East Village.
Robert Pinter was arrested on Friday Oct 10, 2008 in the East Village after exiting the Blue Door video store. He was approached by a very handsome and charming young Asian man while he was shopping for a DVD.. They agreed to leave the store and have consensual sex in his car parked nearby. On the way out of the store he quickly and suddenly offered Robert $50 for oral sex to which he did not respond. Unknown to Robert, he was an undercover NYPD Vice Squad Officer. On the street, the NYPD Vice Squad arrested Robert for prostitution. After spending 24 hours in jail, he was released after pleading guilty to the lesser charge of disorderly conduct on the advice of an ill-prepared Legal Aid attorney who was more interested in getting through his heavy caseload efficiently as possible. Robert Pinter was sentenced to 5 Health Education Classes at the Midtown Community Court.

Sunday October 19, 2008
Contacted Duncan Osborne at Gay City News- “Entrapped” published on 10/30/08
After a phone call with Duncan Osborne, associate editor at the Gay City News, detailing the above incident of Robert’s arrest, Osborne published an article entitled “Entrapped” on 10/30/08, which ignited the community’s outrage. In many subsequent articles, Osborne’s diligent reporting has uncovered a scandal that encompasses the false arrest of 30-50 gay men around Manhattan adult video stores for at least the past 12 months. Osborne connected the use of these false arrests as the main evidence the City was using in nuisance abatement suits to shutter the adult video stores.

"Entrapped" 10/30/08
http://chelseanow.com/articles/2008/10/30/gay_city_news_archives/top%20news%20stories/20182700.prt
"Shuttering Porn Shops, City Fakes Arrests" 12/3/08
http://chelseanow.com/articles/2008/12/03/gay_city_news_archives/top%20news%20stories/20213303.prt

Thursday December 11, 2008
GAY USA Appearance and “Coalition to Stop the Arrests” is founded.
In an appearance on GAY USA, the nationally syndicated gay cable TV news show hosted by Andy Humm and Ann Northrup, Robert Pinter and Duncan Osborne of Gay City News detail the emerging NYPD scandal connecting the use of false arrests as evidence in the filing of nuisance abatement suits against many of the adult video stores. Robert Pinter also announces the formation of the “Coalition to Stop the Arrests” to fight this corruption.

Thursday January 15, 2009
Town Hall Meeting on the False Arrests for prostitution and the shuttering of the Adult Video stores.
Robert Pinter, founder of the Campaign to Stop the False Arrests called for a Town Hall meeting at the LGBT Community Center to address the arrests and resulting NYC/ NYPD nuisance abatement suits against the Adult video store. Cosponsors included the NYC Anti-Violence Project, LGBT Community Center, Urban Justice Center, Queer Justice League. Attended by Senator Tom Duane and aides to NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn, NYC Councilwoman Rosie Mendez, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and a standing-room only crowd of 300 activists, community leaders and concerned citizens.
"Community Mobilizes over False Prostitution Arrests at Video Stores" 1/16/09
http://chelseanow.com/articles/2009/01/16/gay_city_news_archives/top%20news%20stories/20243192.prt


Wednesday Feb. 11, 2009 4pm
Meeting in NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn's office with Robert Pinter of the Campaign to Stop the False Arrests, the NYPD Vice Squad Chief Brian Conroy, the NYC Anti-Violence Project, Empire State Pride Agenda, many state and city elected officials, and aides to Mayor Bloomberg. Robert Pinter of the Campaign to Stop the False Arrests presented 2-pages of questions to the Vice Squad regarding these arrests and NYPD policies and procedures that need answers. Significantly, the Vice Squad Chief Conroy said the NYPD was pulling back and reviewing their operations.

Saturday Feb. 14, 2009 Noon
Demonstration at Mayor Bloomberg’s residence.
Campaign to Stop the False Arrests held a Valentine's Day demonstration at the Mayor's residence. Attended by 24 demonstrators and about an equal number of supporters on the sidelines along with a large press contingent. The media groundswell and public outcry increase dramatically.
Demo video:
http://vimeo.com/3218164

NY Times Article Sunday Feb 15, 2009
“Among Gay Men, Arrests Spark Concern About Being Singled Out”
NY Times account of Robert Pinter’s arrest and the ensuing scandal that has been uncovered through his grassroots organizing.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/nyregion/15arrests.html?_r=1

Saturday Feb. 21, 2009 4pm
Sheridan Square Rally in protest of the False Arrests of gay men for prostitution.
A crowd of 200 rallies near the sight of the Stonewall Inn where 40 years ago the modern gay rights movement began. They heard a variety of community speakers from the Campaign, Queer Justice League, FIERCE, NGLTF, MCC Church, NYC Anti-Violence Project, NYCLU and many politicians express outrage over these arrests.

Friday March 6, 2009 5pm
Meeting with DA Robert Morgenthau
Thanks to a meeting arranged by State Senator Tom Duane, Robert Pinter and the Campaign to Stop the False Arrests met with Manhattan DA Robert Morgenthau in his office to ask for an investigation and dismissal of all these false arrest cases. The meeting was attended by Sen. Duane, Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, Herculano Izquierdo, Deputy Chief of the Trial Division aides to other city and state elected officials, and community leaders.

DA Morgenthau took the matter seriously and has begun an investigation. He indicated willingness to sign on in consent to vacate these cases if the investigation warranted. We are awaiting news of the results of this major investigation.

Monday March 9, 2009 NY POST
“KELLY CURBS 'GAY' STINGS”
NYPD announces a reorganization regarding how future operations will be conducted.
http://www.nypost.com/f/print/news/regional/item_QdeOIg8WOMwXX9b0TkmDjO

Tuesday March 10, 2009 2pm
Robert Pinter's NYPD Internal Affairs interview.
The interview starts the NYPD investigation into the circumstances surrounding Robert’s arrest. As of now, the NYPD has not issued its findings on the investigation.

Wednesday March 11,2009 10am
CCRB Executive Board Meeting
Robert Pinter and Brendan Fay from the Campaign to Stop the False Arrests appeared at the monthly executive board meeting of the NYPD's Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) at 40 Rector St. During the "public comment" section of the meeting they presented the false arrest testimony that they gave to the DA on March 6. The CCRB board strongly recommended that Robert Pinter should file an official complaint.

Saturday April 11, 2009 3pm
Metropolitan Community Church Easter Awards Banquet
The Reverend Pat Bumgardner of the MCC Church presented Robert Pinter and Duncan Osborne with this year’s Community Service Award for courageously bringing the issue of the false arrests to public attention.

Friday April 17, 2009
Robert Pinter files motion to vacate his guilty plea
Robert Pinter’s attorney filed a motion to vacate his guilty plea to disorderly conduct. Since Robert is not guilty of any wrongdoing he is seeking to completely clear his name and encourages all other arrestees to come forward and do the same! We are awaiting a ruling on this motion.

Upcoming events:

· The Campaign to Stop the False Arrests meets at the LGBT Community Center on the 4th Wednesday of the month from 7:30-9pm.

For information:

Robert Pinter, founder, Campaign to Stop the False Arrests
212-674-3495
Email: stopthearrests@aol.com

The Campaign to Stop the False Arrests has been endorsed by NYC Anti-Violence Project, NGLTF, NYCLU, Urban Justice Center, Empire State Pride Agenda, Heritage of Pride, Inc., Stonewall Democrats, Gay and Lesbian Independent Democrats, FIERCE, MCC Church, Queer Justice League, National Coalition for Sexual Freedom.