Stuart Seldowitz, a former high-ranking U.S. national security official, was released on Thanksgiving after being arrested for hate crime stalking and aggressive harassment against a halal cart vendor in New York City. Videos surfaced online showing Seldowitz issuing racist threats and Islamophobic remarks towards the vendor. Despite his arrest, Seldowitz pleaded not guilty and was released without bail. The incident sparked outrage and support for the vendor from New Yorkers, with city councilwoman Julie Menin emphasizing that hate and harassment have no place in the community. Seldowitz's past positions and diplomatic connections added gravity to the threats.
Stuart Seldowitz, a former aide to President Obama, has been released on supervised release after being charged with a hate crime for directing an Islamophobic rant at a halal cart vendor in New York City. Seldowitz repeatedly harassed the vendor, calling him a terrorist and making derogatory comments about Islam. His attorney claims that the allegations are not representative of Seldowitz's true character, but video evidence contradicts this. Seldowitz's former employer, a lobbying firm, has cut ties with him, stating that his actions were racist and unacceptable.
Former Obama administration adviser Stuart Seldowitz has been charged with aggravated harassment, hate crime, and stalking for allegedly harassing a halal cart vendor in New York City. Videos posted online show Seldowitz berating the vendor about his Islamic faith and Egyptian roots, calling him a "terrorist" and making anti-Islamic statements. Seldowitz claimed the vendor expressed support for Hamas, triggering an argument, but the vendor denies this. Seldowitz has been released on supervised release and is not allowed to have any contact with the food cart vendors.
Stuart Seldowitz, former National Security Council chief under President Barack Obama, denied being an "Islamophobic guy" after being identified as the man seen harassing a halal cart vendor on the Upper East Side. In viral videos, Seldowitz is seen making derogatory comments and threats towards the vendor. He offered a half-hearted apology, stating that he regrets his actions and the things he said. The incident has sparked outrage, leading to the lobbying firm Gotham Government Relations cutting ties with Seldowitz. Mayor Eric Adams, Governor Kathy Hochul, and New York Attorney General Letitia James condemned the incident as hateful and unacceptable.
Manhattan-based lobbying firm Gotham Government Relations has severed ties with Stuart Seldowitz, a former Obama administration official, after a video went viral showing him harassing a halal cart vendor in New York City. Seldowitz, who previously worked in the U.S. State Department, was named Foreign Affairs Chair at Gotham Government Relations last year. The video shows Seldowitz asking racist and Islamophobic questions, making derogatory comments, and threatening the vendor. Other companies, including Northwestern Mutual, have also distanced themselves from Seldowitz. Local officials have condemned his behavior, and the NYPD is monitoring the situation.
