Brooklyn Councilwoman Inna Vernikov screams ‘what the fuck’ as creep kisses her on the cheek during CBS interview
- Vernikov, 38, spoke to CBS New York on Thursday in his constituency, speaking in the Brighton Beach neighborhood of Brooklyn
- A stranger approached her as she spoke on camera and kissed her on the cheek, then laughed and walked away, leaving Vernikov in shock.
- Her board colleagues – Democrats and Republicans, like her – said they were angered by the man’s actions and voiced their support for Vernikov.
A New York City Councilwoman has been left shaken after a man walked past her TV interview and kissed her on the cheek – before she shouted: ‘What the fuck was this? !”
Inna Vernikov, 38, was speaking to CBS New York in her constituency — the Brighton Beach neighborhood of Brooklyn — on Thursday when she was interrupted.
The Republican can be seen recoiling in horror after a passing man kissed her on the cheek and then walked away smiling.
Vernikov, a Ukrainian-born attorney who grew up in Brooklyn, said the incident was “scary”. She did not say whether she reported it to police as an assault.
Inna Vernikov, 38, was speaking to CBS New York on Thursday when a stranger kissed her on the cheek
The counselor recoiled in horror, but her attacker laughed and walked away.
“Not the kind of love I expect from voters!” she tweeted.
“Very scary moment.”
She thanked her colleagues for condemning the man’s actions.
Majority Leader Keith Powers said: ‘Very rude behavior. Hope my colleague @InnaVernikov is doing well.
Marjorie Velasquez, a Democrat representing the East Bronx, sent her condolences to Vernikov.
“This disgusting behavior is sadly all too common in women’s everyday lives,” Velasquez said.
“We cannot let sexual assault become a normalized part of our public interactions.
“I hope @NYPD can find this abuser and bring justice quickly.”
Erik Bottcher, a Democrat whose district includes the West Village, Hell’s Kitchen and Chelsea, said he was saddened by the man’s actions.
“It’s totally unacceptable and the kind of thing that women have to deal with all too often unfortunately,” he said.
Lynn Schulman, Democrat of Queens, called the incident “disgusting and disgusting”.
She added: ‘Hopefully the assailant will be found. Unfortunately, this type of unacceptable behavior usually happens to women, even in 2023.’
Robert Holden, a Republican representing Queens, said: ‘It’s not funny at all. It’s amazing how many creeps are walking the streets!’
Selvena Brooks-Powers, a Democrat representing Queens, said it was shocking that the man felt he could act with impunity.
‘That’s rude and scary!’ she says. “And, the fact that this person was so comfortable kissing a complete stranger during the recording is alarming.”
“We need to call out this behavior and hold people like this accountable.”
