MTA worker slashed himself, lied about being attacked on F train in Queens, police say
JAMAICA, Queens (WABC) -- An MTA worker slashed himself and lied to police when he claimed he'd been attacked on the subway, authorities said Saturday.
Henry Herring, 54, is charged with filing a false police report.
Herring, who works as a cleaner, told police that he was attacked and slashed by a homeless person on southbound F train at the Jamaica-179th Street early Wednesday.
He claimed he raised his hands to protect his face when he was attacked, ending up with slashed hands. He also had slash wounds to the chest.
A police investigation revealed that Herring slashed himself and made up the story about the attack.
The MTA said it takes these sorts of claims very seriously.
"Assaults on MTA employees are a real issue and the NYPD has made real progress identifying and capturing perpetrators. What's alleged in this case is beyond disappointing, pulling resources from investigations of actual crimes, while undermining confidence in safety of the transit system," Tim Minton, MTA Communications Director, told Eyewitness News.
The MTA said Herring is being suspended without pay, "pending review for appropriate further action."
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