LIRR worker dubbed a ‘jackass’ amid probe he was at Capitol riot
A Long Island Rail Road worker has been sidelined — and branded a “jackass” by MTA Chairman Pat Foye — pending a probe into his alleged role in the deadly siege at the US Capitol.
Steve Rosati, a COVID-19-denying conductor who cleared $75,047 in 2019, was suspended without pay after internet sleuths uncovered his far-right rants on social media posts, placed him among the hordes at the Jan. 6 Capitol riot — and ratted him out to the MTA.
“What he’s said on social media is outrageous, despicable and the sign he’s a jackass,” Foye said at an MTA board meeting Thursday.
“His conduct at the Capitol ought to be investigated, and is being investigated,” he added.
Posts to Rosati’s various social media accounts include videos of him harassing people waiting in line to get tested for the coronavirus — telling them that the bug is fake — and protesting outside a Long Island post office, claiming that ballots were sent from there to the swing state of Pennsylvania after Election Day.
Former President Donald Trump’s unfounded claims that the election was stolen from him prompted Rosati to join the Capitol mob, authorities said.
Rosati allegedly revealed his intent in two TikTok posts before the riot.
“The Deep State needs to be broken up. It is now that time. Donald J. Trump has one month to do this,” he says in one video, under the handle “unfilteredonservative1.” “And that’s what people are waiting for, waiting on the Bat-Signal by him. So Trump, one month. One month left.”
The MTA is investigating another LIRR worker who may have traveled to DC with Rosati — although that employee has yet to be disciplined as the agency probes the claim, a source told The Post.
Another MTA worker, Will Pepe, is among those already charged in the bloody attack.
Rosati, who has not been charged yet, could not immediately be reached for comment.
The FBI and ATF have rounded up more than 100 suspected rioters since the attack on the Capitol, including a Rockland County man who bragged on Facebook he was there “with “ex-NYPD” members.
Christopher Kelly, of New City, was charged Wednesday with obstruction of an official proceeding and unlawful entry.