Former Ice Cream Shop Owner Sued By NY AG Under ‘Central Park Karen’ Law

New York Attorney General Letitia James is suing the former owner of an upstate ice cream shop who accused Black Lives Matter protestors of threatening him by using a newly enacted law resulting from the “Central Park Karen” case.

James said her office can now sue anyone who makes false, racially-based police complaints after the state legislature made these types of calls illegal in June. The law was enacted after Amy Cooper called 911 last year, claiming that a Black man was harassing her in a remote area of Central Park. This will be the first time it is used.

According to the Times Union, David Elmendorf, the former owner of the since-closed Bumpy’s Polar Freeze in Schenectady, got into a confrontation with demonstrators outside his establishment after racist text messages he sent circulated online. Elmendorf threatened to shoot protestors and hurled racial slurs, including the “n” word. 

Police later stopped Elmendorf as he drove away and found a pellet gun, ammunition, and a rifle scope. Elmendorf pleaded not guilty to criminal charges related to the incident. According to court records, the case is still pending, the New York Post reports.

“Those who make racist and violent threats will be held accountable by my office with the full weight of the law,” said James in a statement. “The charges against David Elmendorf should serve as a warning that hate crimes will not be tolerated on my watch, and we will not allow any individual to use the color of someone’s skin as a weapon.”

Bumpy’s closed down last year after the business was hit with a $10,000 fine for COVID-19 guideline violations. The ice cream parlor failed to space tables six feet apart or implement distance markers for customers waiting in line.