Staten Island DA Defends Handling Of Defiant Pub Owner's Hit-and-Run

Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon is defending his office’s handling of a Dec. 6 incident involving the owner of a bar who struck and injured a New York Sheriff’s Sergeant with his Jeep after officers tried to arrest him for serving drinks inside the Grant City establishment days after being shut by authorities for defying COVID-related restrictions. 

After Daniel Presti, the co-owner of Mac’s Public House on Lincoln Ave., was released on his own recognizance following his arraignment later that day, some charged that Mr. McMahon gave the pub owner, who is white, a benefit that would not be afforded to black or brown defendants accused of a felony, much less one that injured an officer.