By IKIMULISA LIVINGSTON and LARRY CELONA
June 11, 2008
A Queens man pleaded guilty yesterday to hitting a retired NYPD captain and then was immediately slapped with a lawsuit by the ex-cop's attorney.
Joseph Manzi, 33, admitted to Queens Supreme Court Justice James Griffin that he punched Charles Stravalle outside a restaurant in Rego Park, Queens, last summer because Stravalle had busted him in 2002 for pot possession.
"I respect the cops. I don't respect him," Manzi said, referring to Stravalle.
But a lawyer for the police captains union said it's not over.
"This system is designed to compensate a wrong," said Louis La Pietra. "He admitted in open court he struck him."
La Pietra took the opportunity of the attacker's appearance in court to serve him with lawsuit papers.
