Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon on Thursday slammed Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo as “irresponsible” for speaking out against the borough bar owner accused of using his Jeep to ram a sheriff’s sergeant, with the case still in its early stages.
“My office charged Mr. [Danny] Presti with multiple felonies as put forth in the Criminal Complaint against him, and we intend to fully prosecute this matter based on the facts and evidence,” said McMahon in a statement posted Thursday to Twitter.
“As this case remains actively under investigation, it would be irresponsible for those in positions of power, including the Mayor and Governor, to publicly play judge and jury on a criminal matter at this early stage,” he continued.
De Blasio and Cuomo both sounded off on Presti on Monday, one day after he allegedly plowed into New York City Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Kenneth Matos while fleeing a bust for operating the bar he co-owns, Mac’s Public House, in violation of state coronavirus restrictions.
Michael McMahonAP“I think his actions are extraordinarily disturbing. I think they’re disgusting,” de Blasio said of the 43-year-old drink-slinger. “He needs to suffer the appropriate consequences for what he did.”
Added Cuomo later that day, “Tough guy drives his car into a police officer. No, it’s disgusting and [he’s] a coward.”
Matos was attempting to arrest Presti for violating state health regulations by operating the watering hole, which he and co-owner Keith McAlarney have declared an “autonomous zone” that doesn’t answer to government authority, according to a criminal complaint.
Part of the incident was caught on camera.
Prosecutors and sources say the lawman was dragged for some 300 feet and suffered two broken legs — though Presti’s attorney, Lou Gelormino, has accused officials of lying about those injuries, without providing hard evidence.
Presti was hit with 10 charges, including a bail-eligible felony rap, but released on his own recognizance later Sunday.


McMahon said in his statement that Presti getting sprung should not be taken as a sign that prosecutors aren’t taking the case seriously.
“Further, it is equally wrong for anyone to assume that bail is indicative of what the outcome of a criminal case will be or how strongly my office will work to pursue justice,” he said.
McMahon added that, while he understands the financial crunch that Presti and other small-business owners are facing under the coronavirus restrictions, violence is an unacceptable response.
“I understand the pressure many small businesses are facing on Staten Island to survive during these challenging times, but no one ever has the right to take the law into their own hands and place the lives of officers or other first responders at risk,” he said.
“Finally, I want to be clear, the alleged actions of Mr. Presti were dangerous, wrong, and will not be tolerated by this office.”






