Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Rudy's New Nemesis Calls Him a Sleazy, Egomaniac Bully


By

Billy Parker

Published May 25, 2009

Modified May 25, 2009


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

Billy Parker

Published May 25, 2009

Modified May 25, 2009


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

Both sides of the Rudy Giuliani vs. Rudy Hater 5672834340 incident were quick to jump into the spin battle after Saturday's confrontation in the Hamptons where Jack of all trades John McCluskey was led away in handcuffs after allegedly threatening the former mayor while he was out in Bridgehampton with wife Judith Nathan.

It turns out the two are not exactly strangers: Giuliani prosecuted McCluskey's company Arden Communications on tax charges in the 80s and McCluskey has been working on a 9/11 documentary that will in part expose, McCluskey claims, Giuliani's "ineptitude" in his response to the attacks. After McCluskey says he informed Rudy of "my contempt for his sleazy, bullying tactics for most of his prosecutorial life,"he accuses Giuliani of being the aggressor and flying into a rage, that he himself is too hobbled to physically engage Giuliani, but might as well have due to how "truly pathetic looking" the former mayor looks.

Naturally a spokesperson for Rudy sticks with their original story, saying the mayor had no idea of who McCluskey was when he was confronted by him and that McCluskey repeatedly threatened to punch the mayor in the face. The spokesperson also confirmed that Giuliani told McCluskey, "Go ahead and do it already," when being threatened with punches, but denies that Giuliani's wife asked McCluskey to be jailed.

McCluskey accuses Giuliani of masterminding the arrest to discredit the 9/11 film saying, "Of course he proved my point by having me arrested for speaking irreverently to his royal nothingness. He's a true egomaniac and a bully who can hand it out but can't take." He also takes a potshot at the early reports by the tabloids that deemed him "a lunatic," telling the Daily News specifically, "Your love affair with Mr. Giuliani and his cohorts may cost you dearly in the long run."

Tagged

9/11

altercation

Hamptons

john mccluskey

judith nathan

rudy giuliani


Billy Parker

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

Peepapalooza: NYC is heading to the Hudson Valley to watch the leaves

Don't be surprised if you run into someone from your building in Beacon.

By

Elizabeth Shwe

and

Sean Carlson

Published Oct 24, 2026 at 10:46 a.m. ET


NYPD: Officer shot, injured knife-wielding woman during ‘chaotic’ night at Queens home

The woman is in stable condition, police said, but several people were stabbed.

By

Ryan Kost

News

NYPD: Officer shot, injured knife-wielding woman during ‘chaotic’ night at Queens home

The woman is in stable condition, police said, but several people were stabbed.

By

Ryan Kost


3 slates vying to run Jersey City school board as city stares down major tax hikes

By

Michael Sol Warren

5 men charged with trespassing in 2 Manhattan manhole cases

By

Charles Lane

6-year-old girl breaks leg after getting hit by falling bricks in Queens

By

Charles Lane


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 .