Lawsuit Alleges False Accusations and Harassment Against NYC Crisis Consultant

A crisis management consultant in New York City is suing a halal food truck worker for million, claiming the worker made a series of false accusations against him, including that he pulled a gun and told the worker to "go back to [his] country." The consultant, who was previously a top executive at a major automotive supplier, is seeking damages for malicious prosecution and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Consultant Seeks Justice After Facing Unfounded Charges

Alleged Harassment and False Accusations

According to the lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, Eric Laptook, a 70-year-old crisis management consultant, was accused of harassing Mahmoud Ahmed, a halal food truck worker, near Laptook's building on West 115th Street in New York City as early as September 2022. In October, Laptook was arrested after Ahmed told police that Laptook had pointed a black firearm at him, as detailed in a criminal complaint included in the court filing.In the criminal complaints, Ahmed alleged that "an older white male" approached his food truck and made several inflammatory statements, including "You're not supposed to be here. This is my home, not your home. Go back home Mohamed, go back to your country. You are bothering people, you are operating illegally." Laptook's home and car were subsequently searched by police, and he was charged with stalking, menacing, and criminal possession.

Charges Dismissed and Lawsuit Filed

However, all charges against Laptook were eventually dismissed, according to the lawsuit. Laptook is now suing Ahmed and the food truck company, MJM Halal Food, Inc., for malicious prosecution and intentional infliction of emotional distress.The lawsuit alleges that the accusations made by Ahmed were false and that Laptook was the victim of harassment and unfounded charges. Laptook, who owns a crisis management advisory firm called Laptook Risk Consulting, is seeking million in damages from the defendants.

Ongoing Complaints and Concerns

The lawsuit also notes that there have been numerous complaints filed with the city's 311 system regarding the food truck's operations, including issues with food protection and the truck operating in a prohibited area. According to city records, there have been roughly 100 complaints made in July alone.Laptook's background includes serving as the general counsel and chief safety and compliance officer for TK Holdings Inc., the U.S. arm of the Japanese airbag supplier Takata Corp., which filed for bankruptcy in 2017. This experience likely contributed to his expertise in crisis management and his decision to pursue legal action in this case.Neither Laptook nor Ahmed could be reached for comment on the ongoing lawsuit. The case highlights the potential for false accusations and the importance of due process, as well as the challenges faced by both food truck operators and nearby residents in navigating the complex regulatory landscape of urban environments.