A uniformed agent from the Department of Sanitation was caught red-handed on a videotape breaking light bulbs in front of a restaurant and thereafter writing a $300 littering ticket to the restaurant's owner. The incident happened on Oct.19, when a surveillance camera at the H.K. Tea and Sushi restaurant caught the agent dropping several long fluorescent bulbs in front of the restaurant.
William Colton, a State Assemblyman and representative of the neighborhood, said he was furious that the Department of Sanitation would target store owners with bogus tickets.
Colton noted that the agent had pulled the same stunt on at least two other businesses on the block.
He faulted the city officials in encouraging its agents to write tickets to increase government revenue.
The Department of Sanitation said it was investigating and planned to look at the videotape.
