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Charges Dropped Against Cab Driver Thomas Moroughan Shot During Dispute With L.I. Cops

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (1010 WINS) -- Charges were dropped against a taxi driver who, police alleged, confronted them and tried to run one over. Officials conceded the cops had been drinking.

Thomas Moroughan, 26, was arrested on February 27 in Huntington Station after the two Nassau County police officers said the cab driver confronted them and tried to run one of them over.

He was shot twice during the dispute with the two off-duty cops, and was treated at Huntington Hospital.

Moroughan Says He's Relieved

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According to a police statement, "the officer fired his off-duty weapon into the taxi, identified himself as a police officer and told Moroughan to exit the vehicle." Court records identify the shooter as Nassau Police Officer Anthony DiLeonardo. Police said Moroughan refused to exit the taxi and then struck both officers with his vehicle and fled.

Attorney William Petrillo had said that his client pulled over to confront the officers because one of them had been driving recklessly.

"I was just doing my job as a cab driver," Moroughan said." I didn't do anything to deserve to be shot, pistol whipped, beaten up and then arrested."

Petrillo charged that there was evidence that the officers were intoxicated and fueled by road rage.

Moroughan was planning to file a lawsuit.

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