NEW ROCHELLE, NY — New Rochelle Development Commissioner Luiz Aragon has accepted a plea deal to settle a complaint filed by a Trump Plaza employee after a physical altercation in an elevator at the building, all captured on CCTV cameras. Aragon was in court Monday.
The plea deal is an Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal or “ACD” which requires Aragon to stay out of trouble for 6 months while completing 15 hours of community service and an anger management course. A limited Order of Protection will remain in place; it includes an exception to allow Aragon to continue to live in Trump Plaza.
On October 25th, the day of the incident, Aragon told Talk of the Sound in an exclusive interview that he was in an elevator at Trump Plaza when an employee directed a homophobic slur at him. Aragon says he responded by pulling the man off the elevator. The alleged victim claimed he was riding the elevator, delivering newspapers, when the door opened on Aragon’s floor at Aragon demanded he get off the elevator. The alleged victim denied using any slurs.
“I apologize to everyone I care for.” Aragon told Talk of the Sound at the time. “I know better than to get physical.”
Both parties agree as to what happened next.
As documented in CCTV video from the elevator obtained by Talk of the Sound, Aragon pulled the cart the employee was holding, then grabbed the man and threw him into the hallway. The video has since been widely circulated on social media and other media outlets.
Richard St. Paul, attorney for the victim, was unhappy with the decision of the DA in this case and said he intends to file a civil lawsuit against Aragon and Trump Plaza for failure to protect the employee.
Aragon declined further comment on the matter.
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