NYPD cans cop who busted & ‘harassed’
An NYPD cop accused of making advances on a Bronx woman he arrested for shoplifting has been fired over allegations of sexual harassment.
Rony Santiago was fired in response to allegations that he bombarded Kammie Sifonte with a series of lewd text messages following her November 2016 arrest, Santiago’s lawyer said Friday.
The June 22 firing was fueled by an explosive Bronx Supreme Court lawsuit Sifionte, 22, filed last November against Santiago and the NYPD, which is still pending.
In it, she claims the vulgar texts sent over a three-day period included a photo of Santiago in uniform with the message “love a woman who could sit on my face.” Other texts noted Santiago wanting to participate in a “threesome orgy” and that Sifonte was “thick in all the right places,” the suit says.
However, Santiago’s lawyer, Mark Panzavecchia, told The Post he believes the lawsuit “has no merit” and will ultimately be dismissed.
He also said his client is considering fighting to get his job back.
The NYPD confirmed the firing Friday but would not provide additional details about the internal investigation that led to its decision.
Sifonte is suing Santiago, the NYPD and the city for “in excess of $25,000” for the “extreme and outrageous conduct” that violated her civil rights and caused her emotional distress, her suit says.