Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Former FDNY "Bad Lieutenant" Sued By Handicapped Woman Over Insulting Tweet


By

Ben Yakas

Published Sep 19, 2013

Modified Sep 19, 2013


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 .

via NY Post cover

 


By

Ben Yakas

Published Sep 19, 2013

Modified Sep 19, 2013


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

Last spring, an EMS lieutenant who tweeted a bevy of racist, antisemitic comments was suspended after he hit the front page of the NY Post. EMS Lt. Timothy Dluhos, 34, who went by the moniker "Bad Lieutenant," ultimately chose to resign from the FDNY to avoid any potential disciplinary charges that could have led to his firing after his suspension was up. Today, he's learning yet again that actions have consequences (especially when the Post is involved): Dluhos and the city are being sued by the Brooklyn woman whose photo he tweeted (see above) along with the caption “Wide Load.”

Teena Gamzon, 65, who uses a wheelchair and has diabetes, filed the suit this week asking for unspecified damages for “mental anguish, ridicule [and] emotional and mental distress.” “It was horrible,” she told The Post. “I’m even embarrassed in front of my granddaughter. She’s 10 years old. She has to see her grandmother humiliated like that.”

In the suit, she claims publication of the photo on the front page of The Post ("and also on the Daily Mail, Huffington Post, and Gothamist Web sites") caused her to be “confined to a bed and home for a period of time.” Her lawyer told the News that his client is now confined to her home with shame.

Tagged

anti semitism

EMS

fdny

lawsuit

racism sexism

stupidity

timothy dluhos

twitter


Ben Yakas

Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board

Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.

By

Ryan Kost

Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET


NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought

The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.

By

Rosemary Misdary

News

NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought

The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.

By

Rosemary Misdary


Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases

By

Catalina Gonella

Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions

By

Jon Campbell

Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer

By

Ben Feuerherd


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 .