The husband of state Sen. Shirley Huntley (D-Jamaica) filed a police report last week, alleging he had been robbed at gunpoint in a parking lot outside the Resorts World Casino New York City in South Ozone Park, though the gaming establishment said the accusations are not panning out.
The NYPD said Herbert Huntley filed the report late last Thursday night, saying he had been approached by three black males, two of them armed with revolvers, who stole about $380 from him. According to the report, the men returned his wallet and, upon inspecting his cell phone, “said it was too old and gave it back to him,” a police spokesman said.
The state senator also confirmed that her husband filed a report.
“When my husband goes to the casino, he never takes a lot of money, and he usually comes back early,” Huntley said. “He called me and told me he was winning and was going to hang out a little longer. When he was walking to the parking lot, three guys, two with guns, referred to him as ‘pops,’ and told him to give them his money.”
She also said the thugs looked at his wedding ring, but could not get it off his hand, “so they didn’t deal with that.
“Then they got into an old car,” Huntley continued.
The senator also said that the incident had upset her husband so much that he would likely be unable to identify his attackers.
Police would not comment on the investigation because it is still ongoing, but Stefan Friedman, a spokesman for Resorts World Casino New York City, said his company has so far been unable to find evidence of Huntley’s claims.
“The safety of our patrons is Resorts World New York’s top priority, and working alongside the NYPD, we have launched a thorough investigation of these allegations,” Friedman said. “A preliminary look at our surveillance system does not support the allegation. We have provided all relevant information to the NYPD and will continue to cooperate with them as they conduct their investigation.”
According to a source close to the situation, who wished to remain anonymous, security cameras filmed Herbert Huntley the entire time he was at the casino, as well as when he walked to his car, and there is no footage of him being held up.
“There were cameras on Mr. Huntley from the time he exits the casino to the time he gets in his car,” the source said. “There’s just nothing there.”
The source said Herbert Huntley was not out of view of the cameras for more than a few seconds.
But Shirley Huntley said she was informed by a “credible source,” whom she would not name, that not all of the casino’s security cameras are working.
“I don’t want to criticize the casino; I want it to be successful because it brings jobs and money to the state, but people need to feel safe when they’re there,” Huntley said. “The security cameras should be working.”
The same source who discussed Herbert Huntley being caught on tape said no cameras were down in the areas where he walked.
The senator noted that her consituents have not complained about security at the casino.
“My concern is safety for everyone,” Huntley said. “I haven’t heard bad complaints about them; I just happen to know there were cameras that weren’t working.”
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