A first date ended with a felony assault rap for a former Citigroup banker who said he hated Americans and thought they got what they deserved on 9/11 — then hit and choked his date when he disagreed, prosecutors said Thursday.
Andrew Francis, 36, allegedly met Paul Gallagher on a dating website and the two men met up in Francis’ Bushwick apartment, prosecutors said as Francis was arraigned in Brooklyn Criminal Court.
“The defendant stated that he hated Americans and said he wanted to kill Americans and believed Americans got what they deserved on 9/11,” Assistant District Attorney Wilfredo Cotto said in court.
A political argument ensued and Francis attacked, Cotto said.
Francis hit his date over the head, put his hands around his neck and squeezed, pushed him to the ground, and bit his finger, court papers state.
“It was one date that is clearly not going to happen again,” defense attorney Cary London said, adding that the two men were watching “Troy” starring Brad Pitt.
“This is an online date gone bad and it’s why you shouldn’t talk politics in the bedroom.”
London also said Gallagher stole Francis’ wallet when he left the apartment and then concocted the attack to explain the theft.
According to Francis’ LinkedIn page, he currently works as a financial analyst at Columbia University and worked in the past at Citigroup, Microsoft and American Express.
Francis was held on $3,500 bail.