NYC Councilmember Susan Zhuang, arrested for biting cop, has charges dropped
Zhuang, a first-term conservative Democrat, was charged with biting NYPD Deputy Chief Frank DiGiacomo in the arm, drawing blood, during a July 2024 protest against a planned homeless shelter in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.
The program, run through Brooklyn Justice Initiatives and the Brooklyn DA's office, brought Zhuang and DiGiacomo together to have a constructive conversation about the incident, in addition to sessions before and after.
'This case was resolved through a restorative justice process that created space for dialogue, accountability, and healing,' a spokesperson for the Brooklyn District Attorney's office said in a statement. 'It was based on the wishes of the victim and the defendant's willingness to make amends. This is exactly what restorative is meant to do — address harm, foster understanding, and support a path forward.'
Zhuang, a member of the Republican-majority Common Sense Caucus, has aligned herself with the NYPD and was endorsed by the Police Benevolent Association in 2023.
'It made the most sense for both sides to resolve the case this way,' Jerry Goldfeder, Zhuang's attorney, told the Daily News.
The councilmember was charged with felony assault, resisting arrest and obstruction of government administration after her arrest at the 6 a.m. protest. She pleaded not guilty, arguing that she had been protecting an elderly woman.
Zhuang has received community support after the arrest, with locals staging a parade in her honor shortly after her arrest. Her legal defense fund opened to help cover expenses raised $66,000.
The City Council opened an investigation into the incident last year, but paused proceedings until her case was sorted out in court.
The case is sealed and won't remain on her record.
Goldfeder noted that Zhuang, who is up for reelection this year, faces no primary and 'no opponent on either the conservative, Republican or Working Families line.'
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