Sanitation worker arrested for lying about being mugged while clearing snow in Queens

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A sanitation worker claimed that he was mugged while clearing snow in Queens Wednesday morning, but police say he made it up.

31-year-old Michael Morelli was arrested and charged with filing a false report.

Morelli said that two men grabbed him and held him at around 4 a.m.

He said they pistol whipped him and stole $20 and his phone.

Morelli said that he had been clearing a hydrant at Liberty Avenue near Guy Brewer Boulevard when he was attacked.

He did sustained a bump on head and scratch on his hand, during an altercation with someone earlier. There is no word on the details of that altercation.

He was treated at Jamaica Hospital and released.

There is no comment from the New York City Sanitation Department or the union representing the sanitation workers.