New York Daily News

Harass-vic lawyers rip potty-mouth taxi king

- BY ANDREW KESHNER

AN EMBATTLED taxi tycoon has sideswiped defense lawyers in a sexual harassment case with a barrage of profanity-laced emails that could land him in more hot water.

“Go ahead (and) cry 2 the judge, she will reprimand me, but I am in (your) f---in he(ad) (a)ND u do not want me there trust u!” “Taxi King” Evgeny (Gene) Freidman wrote in one missive.

The target of his profanity were lawyers for Elaine Gutierrez, a former employee who’s suing Freidman for constantly commenting on her body, angling for hugs and trying to get her alone.

Freidman, who’s also a lawyer, went on the attack after defense attorney Lawrence Pearson reached out to discuss issues in the case before the first court date.

“My answer to u on all will b go f--- urself! (Is) that sufficient for (M)eet and confer?” Freidman allegedly wrote.

Gutierrez’s lawyer, Lawrence Pearson, tried a followup email. Freidman allegedly responded, “Hey Lawrence who u kidding? How u think this thing ends? Ur press conference or my go f--- urself'!"

Stung by the foul-mouthed tirade, Gutierrez’s lawyers are now asking a judge to hit Freidman with sanctions for cursing them out and turning his back on the case.

Pearson wrote in court papers that Freidman has “gone completely silent, failing to engage at all in this litigation in any form.”

Freidman already had new issues to deal with on top of his mountain of existing legal woes — a June indictment for criminal tax fraud and a suspension of his law license in July.

In their motion, Gutierrez’s lawyers say they should be awarded costs for all the time they spent dealing with Freidman’s diatribe and drafting the motion to punish the dirty talk.

“Mr. Freidman went so far as to make light of and belittle the very idea of sanctions or censure issued by the Court. Such conduct should not be permitted to pass without consequenc­e,” the motion said.

Pearson told the Daily News he’s never seen anything like Freidman’s R-rated tirade.

Heated talk and differing opinions were all expected parts of the legal game, Pearson said.

“But profanity, abusive language and threats goes way beyond the limits of zealous advocacy.”

Freidman could not be reached for comment.

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