Former NYPD Sgt. Steven Lee, who played a significant role in exposing the karaoke-bar corruption scandal at a Queens precinct over a decade ago, has been found guilty of two counts of misdemeanor assault for an off-duty brawl at a Chelsea nightclub in 2021. He was sentenced to six months in Rikers Island jail, where he is housed next to a cop killer and a drug dealer who beheaded a man.
Lee admitted to striking a man during the melee but claims he was protecting a woman who was being sexually assaulted. Another person from his group severely injured someone in the brawl and was also charged. Investigators found a text message on Lee’s phone that read, “He touched some girl and deserved to get punched out.
The people who arrested Lee on assault charges were some of the same officers he previously helped investigate, including a detective he had arrested. Lee is currently in solitary confinement at Rikers Island for his protection as a former cop. Despite being housed next to dangerous criminals, Lee claims they are friendly with him and appreciate his struggle against the system.
All along, Lee has claimed that the criminal justice system is retaliating against him for his whistleblowing activities. He believes IAB (Internal Affairs Bureau) is notorious for damage control and smoke and mirrors tactics. The IAB also opened an investigation into his podcast appearance in 2020, which Lee claims led to his termination from the NYPD.
Steven Lee has a young son with autism and hopes to be released soon so he can support his family. His attorney, Peter Brill, expressed disbelief at the severity of his sentence, saying it was “insane” for a first-time misdemeanor offense involving an 18-year veteran of the NYPD.
