courtesy Dailytelegraph.com.au
Stephanie Adams, 40, and the November 1992 Playmate, alleges police drew their guns on her and with unnecessary force shoved her face to the pavement causing physical injury after her taxi driver accused her as being armed and dangerous.
According to the New York Post
, the driver, Eric Darko, later told city investigators that he believed Ms Adams was a vampire.
Once known as the first openly lesbian Playboy Playmate, and now a married-to-a-man mum, Ms Adams was taking the taxi driven by Mr Darko on May 25 back her to apartment when he refused to bring her any closer to her building, according to Ms Adams.
He then began cursing at her, prompting her to call emergency services, which Mr Darko did also.
While on the phone with the NYPD, Mr Darko told the operator that Ms Adams had threatened to shoot him leading to her rough handling at their arrival.
Ms Adams’ trial Lawyer Nina Neumunz in court stated that the physical force was unnecessary with the tight-fitting clothing Ms Adams was wearing.
“It was a controlled drop to the ground,” Sgt John Rajan testified in court, saying Ms Adams did not initially comply to his instructions to lie face down.
“We didn’t know if she had a firearm,” he said.
Acknowledging her attire, Sgt Rajan said they did not need to frisk her as “she was wearing tight-fitting clothing and there was no place to conceal a weapon.”
Ms Adams’ trial Lawyer Nina Neumunz in court stated that the physical force was unnecessary with the tight-fitting clothing Ms Adams was wearing.
A doctor for Ms Adams testified that the incident injured spinal discs causing her serious back pain.
Ms Adams previously sued Mr Darko for falsely accusing her as armed during the 2006 incident, according to NJ.com, causing his license to be revoked by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission the same year.
He was also fined $2,700.