De Blasio ‘shocked’ Staten Island ‘autonomous zone’ bar owner not indicted

Mayor de Blasio said Monday he was stunned that a grand jury has declined to indict the controversial owner of Staten Island’s “autonomous zone” bar for driving into a city deputy sheriff. 

Speaking during his morning press briefing, the mayor said it was troubling that Daniel Presti, co-owner of Mac’s Public House, dodged the assault charges from the wild Dec. 6 incident outside the tavern. 

“I’m just shocked,” de Blasio said. “These are law-enforcement officers, sheriff’s deputies trying to save people’s lives. 

“If someone hits another person with a car, that’s an offense right there,” the mayor said. “If you hit a law-enforcement officer with your car, that’s something profoundly troubling. 

“That should lead to an indictment,” he said. “I’m absolutely shocked.” 

The grand-jury panel last week declined to indict Presti on charges that he drove into Sgt. Kenneth Matos, injuring the officer. 

Presti had been repeatedly cited and was previously arrested by the city sheriff’s office for refusing to adhere to state coronavirus lockdown restrictions — and continuing to open for business. He declared the bar “an autonomous zone” exempt from the mandate. 

Surveillance video from the Dec. 6 incident showed Presti getting into his Jeep as Matos and a second person ran up to the vehicle. Matos is seen clinging to the hood as Presti drives off, traveling down the block before Matos is thrown from the hood. 

Presti claimed he didn’t know the two were deputies — saying he saw only two people dressed in dark clothing charging at him. 

Presti was arrested and charged with assault, but was cleared when the grand jury voted not to indict him. 

The outspoken barkeep and his lawyer also accused the sheriff’s office of falsely exaggerating Matos’ injuries. Prior to his case being presented to the grand jury, attorney Mark Fonte said he was notified by a prosecutor on the case that medical records didn’t support the sheriff’s claim that Matos suffered broken legs. 

The revelation prompted Fonte to call for New York City Sheriff Joseph Fucito to resign from the post. Fucito called the request “absurd.” 

“Sergeant Matos is the victim of a crime, an assault using deadly physical force, and his attacker calling for anyone’s resignation is genuinely absurd,” Fucito said in an e-mail Monday. 

The grand jury still voted to indict Presti on lesser charges that he operated a bar without a license, which could warrant a hefty fine.