WCNYH

Longshoreman Surrenders Registration with Prejudice

December 7, 2022

The Waterfront Commission granted the request of Nicola Vitale, 49, of Staten Island, to surrender his permanent registration as a longshoreman. Vitale was issued temporary registration as a longshoreman in 2002, and was later issued permanent registration as a longshoreman in 2009. Vitale’s registration as a longshoreman was temporarily suspended on December 4, 2018 after he was arrested on November 28, 2018 by the NYPD in Staten Island after a domestic dispute led to him to brandish a .22 caliber handgun and allegedly shoot himself in the thigh and shoulder with said firearm. Vitale was charged by the NYPD with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, PL §265.03(1)(b) (a Class C felony), Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, PL §265.02(3) (a Class D felony), Criminal Possession of a Firearm, PL §265.01-b (a Class E felony), Endangering the Welfare of a Child, PL §260.10(1) (a Class A misdemeanor), and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, PL §265.01(1) (a Class A misdemeanor). A subsequent arrest which occurred on October 7, 2019 charged him with Criminal Contempt in the Secord Degree, PL §215.50(3) (a Class A misdemeanor), for violating an active order of protection.

A Notice of Hearing issued by the Commission in conjunction with the temporary suspension alleged that Vitale’s presence on the port represented a danger to the public peace or safety based upon the aforementioned arrests. Rather than challenge the charges at an administrative hearing, Vitale requested to surrender his permanent registration as a longshoreman with prejudice. The Commission accepted that request, thereby barring Vitale from working on the ports of New York Harbor.