QUEENS — The Ozone Park man with a lengthy rap who allegedly harassed a 15-year-old Muslim girl and called her a "terrorist" as she rode a city bus in Kew Gardens Hills last week said he spat on her accidentally, prosecutors said.
Perry Germano, 50, who police say had more than three dozens prior arrests, dating back to 1982, was taken into custody on Wednesday and charged with attempted assault, aggravated harassment, endangering the welfare of a child, disorderly conduct and menacing as a hate crime.
Germano, according to his criminal complaint, told the police that he had an argument with the teen but denied spitting on her and making anti-Muslim statements.
"I had a dispute with a girl on the bus, I didn't intentionally spit on her, when I said 'F--k you' to her, spit came out of my mouth," he allegedly said. "I cocked my hand back at her, but never said anything about race or religion."