Report: Police Union Boss Ignored Orders, Stood Near Pope Francis At 9/11 Memorial

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Officials have sought to discipline a powerful police union head for standing near Pope Francis without authorization during the pontiff's visit to New York City.

Paul Nunziato, president of the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association, ignored the orders of three superiors to leave the pope's side at the 9/11 memorial on Sept. 25, the New York Post reported Sunday.

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The Post reported that Nunziato wasn't on papal duty and didn't wear his police cap during the visit.

"The Post told me they had charges, I asked them for a copy because I never received charges from the Port Authority," Nunziato told WCBS 880's Stephanie Colombini.

A defiant Nunziato told the newspaper he was cleared by the Secret Service.

"I think I earned the right to stand next to that reflecting pool as the pope blessed it, and anyone who disagrees with that can kiss my a--," he said.

Thirty-seven Port Authority Police Department officers died during the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

"When he blessed the pool, I stood there and said a prayer as he did over the south reflecting pool where my 37 police officers' names are on the wall," Nunziato said.

The Port Authority has not yet returned WCBS 880's request for comment.

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