Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Richard Belzer: Apple Store Staffer Targeted Me!
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 12, 2010
Modified Mar 12, 2010
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 Chung
Published Mar 12, 2010
Modified Mar 12, 2010
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
After an employee at the Upper West Side Apple Store called the cops on actor Richard Belzer, accusing him of choking her on Tuesday, the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star has a conspiracy theory: He's too famous! He told the Daily News, "I guess she was trying to shake me down. She clearly knew who I was. Sometimes when you are a celebrity, people try to take advantage of you."
Cops declined to press charges against Belzer after reviewing the store's security tape but Apple staffer Milan Agnew maintains that Belzer put his hands around her throat (he says he simply put his hands on her shoulders) after she asked if he needed help. Belzer told the Post, "She wanted attention and she knew who I was and I clearly didn't assault her. It's surprising that Apple would not apologize to such a high-profile, good customer. I've spent thousands of dollars there. I don't want her to be fired, I just want her to seek help." And to the News, "It's too bad our fine police officers had to waste their time. They should ticket the girl."
However, Agnew, who filed a harassment complaint, says "I'm not star struck by anyone. I approached him like he was a regular customer. I asked how can I help you. He told me what he needed, and then before I was able to speak again, he lunges in and grabs my neck. It was no gentle manner. There is no gentle manner to grab someone's neck."
Belzer, who did admit to TMZ that he shouldn't have invaded Agnew's personla space, also want everyone to know he doesn't hold it against the store, "I've never had even the slightest rudeness like this at the Apple store. They're all great. I think you have to pass a personality test to work there, and I don't know how this woman slipped through the cracks."
Tagged
apple store
harassment
Milan Agnew
Richard Belzer
Upper West Side Apple Store
Jen Chung
Jen Chung 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
Mamdani must redo his pied-à-terre tax rollout, NY judge orders
A Staten Island judge ruled against the city in a lawsuit challenging the rollout of the new tax, a day after a billionaire casino mogul sued to invalidate it.
By
David Brand
Published Sep 29, 2026 at 4:11 p.m. ET
Modified Sep 29, 2026 at 5:07 p.m. ET
NYC eyes higher fines for owners of dirty vacant lots, abandoned construction sites
The sanitation department seeks to increase the fines for landlords who neglect their abandoned lots from $100 to $250.
By
Liam Quigley
News
NYC eyes higher fines for owners of dirty vacant lots, abandoned construction sites
The sanitation department seeks to increase the fines for landlords who neglect their abandoned lots from $100 to $250.
By
Liam Quigley
NJ Gov. Sherrill vetoes 2 bills meant to give strapped Jersey City more revenue tools
By
Michael Sol Warren
Brooklyn residents displaced after facade falls off neighboring building amid nor'easter
By
Catalina Gonella
Mamdani opts not to define antisemitism in report to combat Jewish hate crimes
By
Elizabeth Kim
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 .