MTA worker Henry Herring has confessed to orchestrating a hoax attack on himself at a Queens subway station, revealing that he did so in order to secure time off to care for his sick fiancée. Herring, 54, admitted to slashing his own hands and falsely reporting the incident to the police. The Brooklyn resident, who has been suspended without pay since the incident, claimed that his partner had undergone two brain surgeries, resulting in brain leakage, and he needed the time off to be by her side during her recovery.
In an interview, Herring acknowledged the gravity of his actions, stating, “I know what I did looks like something very horrible, whatever. But I have a very good reason for what I did.” He further expressed his willingness to repeat his actions, emphasizing his love and dedication to his fiancée. However, he denied being mentally unstable, asserting that his motive was rooted in genuine concern for his loved one.
Herring was charged with falsely reporting an incident after surveillance cameras exposed his deception. The footage revealed that he had staged the attack while cleaning a train at the 179th Street subway station in Jamaica. According to a criminal complaint, Herring confessed to his intention of obtaining a summer break due to the uncomfortable working conditions caused by the heat.
While Herring initially claimed that he had exhausted his sick days, he later admitted to having five unused days at the time of the incident. He explained that he did not have enough accrued time to qualify for a paid leave, prompting him to resort to the hoax.
Despite his troubled past, including two previous stints in state prison for robbery and gun charges, Herring asserted that he had turned his life around and obtained associate and bachelor’s degrees. He cited his commitment to his fiancée’s recovery and his own physical therapy following a car accident in April as reasons for needing a break.
Herring’s next court appearance is scheduled for October 8. In response to The Post’s coverage of his case, he expressed a desire to present his side of the story, seemingly enjoying the attention. However, he acknowledged the foolishness of his actions and advised against attempting a similar hoax.
2 Responses
While it is understandable that Henry Herring wanted to take time off to care for his sick fiancée, orchestrating a hoax attack is not the right way to go about it. It is important to remember that there are proper channels and procedures in place for employees to request time off for personal reasons. By resorting to such extreme measures, Herring not only put himself in legal trouble but also compromised the trust and credibility of his fellow MTA workers. It is crucial to find alternative solutions and
I find it intriguing that Henry Herring resorted to orchestrating a hoax attack on himself to secure time off. Could the author provide more insight into the motivations behind his actions? It would be interesting to explore the ethical implications of his decision and the potential consequences he may face.