Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Naomi Campbell's Bag Carrier Cursed, Charged
By
Jen Carlson
Published Apr 9, 2008
Modified Apr 9, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Apr 9, 2008
Modified Apr 9, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
DOS police lieutenant John Fitzgerald is a 24-year vet who's better known as the guy who ended up carrying Naomi Campbell's bag when she reported for day two of her community service last year. And now he's stepping out of the model's shadow.
The NY Post reports that the sanitation cop must have caught the criminal bug from the model, as he was busted in Queens yesterday for allegedly forging a gun permit. If convicted, he'll be doing a lot more time than a few days of community service; he could end up behind bars for 7 years.
Was the bag cursed? When the photograph was published, it brought "shame and disgrace upon New York's Strongest - Fitzgerald was exiled to Queens," the first in a series of sad turns:
When investigators began looking into the allegations in August, Fitzgerald was dumped from the department's police force and banished from the Manhattan pier where he had supervised Naomi.
He was sent to The Bronx, where he supervised ordinary sanit workers on the midnight shift.
Before being charged yesterday, he had earned the nickname Louis Vuitton from co-workers. And if he lands in jail, he shouldn't expect any visits from Ms. Campbell, she was banned from British Airways last week after assaulting and spitting on a cop.
Tagged
bag
charged
community service
cop
department of sanitation
dos
forgery
gun
John Fitzgerald
naomi campbell
purse
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors
Neighbors had complained of traffic and loud concerts for years.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 22, 2026 at 2:49 p.m. ET
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
News
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
NYPD arrests 17-year-old in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Charles Lane
Ex-Adams aide accused of pocketing kickbacks from community program funds
By
Samantha Max
MTA to begin 6-year project to upgrade signal tech on A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .