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Shoeless Not Homeless: Barefoot Man Who Got Boots From Cop Lives In The Bronx
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 4, 2012
Modified Dec 4, 2012
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Officer Lawrence DePrimo's act of kindness went viral on the Internet and on television around the world.
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 4, 2012
Modified Dec 4, 2012
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Yesterday we learned that the homeless man seen in a widely-circulated photo accepting new boots from a charitable NYPD officer was still walking around barefoot. Now it's emerged that the man, Jeffrey Hillman, isn't actually homeless. “He does have stable housing," Seth Diamond, New York City's homeless services commissioner, tells NBC New York. “We’ve worked with Mr. Hillman for years.” What's next, Jeffrey's actually a fabulously wealthy heiress named Jenny? The man in the police uniform isn't actually a cop, but an actor doing viral marketing for Skechers?
According to NBC New York, Hillman, an Army veteran, was homeless for an undetermined period of time leading up to 2011, when he obtained a Bronx apartment secured by Veterans Affairs. His rent is paid "using a lifetime voucher for homeless veterans and his Social Security income." Diamond also tells the news station, "I understand why it could be frustrating for New Yorkers. They see a person in this situation and they think no one has been helping. Outreach teams continue to try to work with him, but he has a history of turning down services."
On Sunday night, a barefoot Hillman told the Times, “Those shoes are hidden. They are worth a lot of money."
Tagged
charity
homeless
lawrence deprimo
Times Square
veterans
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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