Social Security guard in punch bust
A GUARD at the Social Security Administration in Lower Manhattan repeatedly punched a man who was helping an elderly friend in a wheelchair, the feds allege.
Edwin Caban, who worked for the city Department of Correction before his Social Security gig, is charged with deprivation of rights under color of law for the alleged incident last June.
The Federal Protective Service, which provides security to federal buildings, also hit Caban with a charge of filing a false report for leaving out key details — like his alleged punches — during the investigation.
According to charging papers filed Wednesday in Manhattan Federal Court, the trouble started around 12:37 p.m. on June 22, 2016, when the victim wheeled his friend into the reception area of the Social Security office on William and John Sts.
Caban, 55, went up to the man and they “exchanged words.”
He then reached toward the victim’s stomach and grabbed the victim — who put his arms up — and pushed him backward over a desk, FPS maintains.
During the struggle, Caban allegedly slammed the man against a wall. Caban’s lawyer did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The victim was left with several broken ribs. Caban no longer works for the FPScontracted private security company.