Monday, March 07, 2011

Steven Frischling's "Run-In' with John Gotti Jr.

Two different forums, two different wild tales from Steven Frischling about taking photos of mobster John Gotti Jr. It's possible John Gotti Jr was arrested constantly and Frischling was waiting each time, but it seems he is referring to a single incident. There's no mention in the later reference of any earlier experience with Gotti.

First, back in 1998, he interrupted a thread discussing media behavior in the Monica Lewinsky scandal to brag about John Gotti Jr's mafia buddies bringing him coffee "for not trying anything stupid." He describes one "photog" jumping in Gotti's face and getting tossed into the street by Gotti's henchmen, but as Frischling describes it, he himself was a safe distance away.

NPPA-L, 2/11/1998
"How close is to close to a subject? This has been debated before and I am sure it will be debated again and again and again for a long time, if we all just stepped back a a few feet with a 35mm or even a 28mm we would all have a better photo. I know at a number of Perp-Walks in NYC there was a sort of honour system when ony 2-3 stills and 2-3 TV-PJs were there no one had to jump out, no one had to shove, these were usually the 3AM perp walks or body removals, but it worked. I had been at a 4:AM "release" of John Gotti Jr, 2 TVPJs and 3 stills, each of us knew each other, no problems, we sat there talking for a few hours, the mobsters even brought us coffee as a "thank you" for not trying anthing stupid (read between the lines), just as Gotti exited the police station, a photog got out of a car, he must have been sitting there watching us for 3 or 4 hours, and ran up to Gotti with a wide lens stepping in front of all of us and proceded to walk 2-3 feet in front of him for about 20 yards until one of the mobster (alleged mobsters?) yanked him and just about literaly threw him into the street. Then we all got our 10 or 12 clean frames and then Gotti turned and thanked us for our concern for his well being. Those of us standing there had it worked out so we all got our photos , but all it takes is that one photog to run up out of no where and make their images and cause us to jump into the circle."
Five years later, Frischling jumps into a discussion on photographers' biggest goofs to share the Gotti story. But now it's different. No mention of that photographer getting tossed into the street. This time it's Frischling who (after experiencing more unfortunate equipment failure) bumps into Gotti, "nearly knocking him to the ground!" He also claims this was all captured on video.

Sports Shooter, 7/9/03
"I was assigned to cover John Gotti's Jr's perp walk from a police station in South Brooklyn. After waiting hours outside Gotti came out free to go to his own car, not a cruiser, with only two other shooters there (one TV, one still) I figured it would be easy (and highly unexpected).

As I began shooting I ripped off 3 frames then nothing.....since the frame counter on my F3hp was busted I did not realize I had not swapped in a new roll into this F3 (I had two, both with busted frame counters). Standing there like an idiot, ticked at myself, I stepped backwards into Gotti nearly knocking him to the ground. Luckily I had one good frame which the wire was able to use.

My mother saw the perp walk on TV the next morning where they showed me walking backwards into Gotti and has not stopped giving me $#!+ about it yet."

Happy Lying!

44 comments:

  1. I'm surprised that he wasn't knocked to the ground by Gotti, having both of his cameras broken and fired off 12 straight shots (all perfect, naturally) with a point/shoot.

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  2. Oh GOSH! I stepped backwards into Gotti nearly knocking him to the ground from 20 feet away! Let that be a lesson to all you young photographers out there!

    Tell you what. I wouldn't want to know what those mobsters had to say about you after giving you the coffee. Wink Wink.

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  3. The Steven Frischling goodness never ends.

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  4. http://www.lightstalkers.org/steven-frischling

    Fish’s editorial photo assignments have spanned 1-on-1 coverage of U.S. Presidential Candidates to global sporting events and military conflicts. In the corporate and commercial realm, Fish’s clients include multinational Fortune 100 companies to professional sports leagues and foreign governments. Over the past two years Fish’s weddings have taken him to five countries, three continents and into every time-zone in the continental United States.

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  5. "Don't try anything stupid or I'll fill ya fulla snarky comments from fishfraud. Got me, Sailor?"

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  6. He did manage to get a photo this time...

    http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/article/865214--john-gotti-jr-sells-movie-rights-to-his-life-story

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  7. Steven Frischling

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  8. so judging by the photo, how is his scenario possible? He was facing Gotti and then he suddenly turned around and started walking backwards into him?

    The weirdest thing is that all these detailed stories MAKE NO SENSE in any way. He is not even intelligent in his delusions.

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  9. You're telling me that with all those policeman, all those bodyguards, he somehow backed into Gotti? Oh, I can't help it. You gotti be kidding me. SORRRRY.

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  10. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fish-fun/id335037370?mt=8

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  11. Are any of his shots ever in focus? Or is out of focus just his style. Tiy know the style of incompetence.

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  12. Can you do a post on his medical conditions. That is another load of week old fish. For him to say that he had no deductibles or coinsurance for his treatments is just full of it. I have been doing insurance for over 30 years and his claim of having no out of pocket costs are pretty hilarious. In my time of dealing with plans covering between 100 and 250,000 employees I have only seen 3 plans that have no cost to the participant. I do not think FF is a maritime person, a member of a really really rich multi-billionaire's company, but he may make so little money that he qualifies for Medicaid which covers all costs. So now we have to either believe that he is as successful as he says he is and is lying to be eligible for Medicaid, or not as successful as he claims so that he does qualify for Medicaid, or is just lying. OMG this means that we all are supporting him through or taxes. I feel so dirty.

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  13. In the numerous years I covered the Gambino crime family I know I was never served coffee...ever. What a crock!

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  14. For 3:50

    " Ummmm, 1991, lost my 80% of my kidney = $42,000 (100% covered)
    1991, had another part of kidney removed = $5,600 (100% covered)
    1992 through 1993 , three more surgeries, around $14,00 = 100% covered

    Various concusions, lost teeth, broken fingers, leg, rebuilt shoulder,11 procedures on my throat since 1999 all 100% covered, hospital stay, surgery, ER, doc, nurses, drugs, all 100% covered (except down time, excluding the shoulder, I was paid for my down time) ........my camera gear repair is a minimum of $500 out of pocket, so it is cheaper to break me than the gear :0) "

    From:
    http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=6979

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  15. No DL for our intrepid shooter

    " As for sitting on the sidelines, like most freelancer, I go to work hurt. When I was in a metal brace, with my right arm held out at an 87 degree angle, I went to work, I shot some baseball, soccer and pro lacrosse, was awkward, hurt like hell, but I had to work to survive. "

    From the same 6979 thread

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  16. Oh the horror:
    " Last summer I got nailed in a car wreck, destroyed my shoulder. The surgery and rehab was covered by the insurance. Months later I got a serious infection in the area of the surgery, my insurance said the visit to the doctor was not required and denied my claim. I did not have the $350 to cover my expenses, because "technically" the infection won't kill me, so I can deal with it (of course it restricted movement in my shoulder.

    I broke my tooth, my insurance told me that getting a cap was not required, and considered cosmetic, so I had to find $700 for the work.

    When I moved from VT to MA I did not have health insurance, my daughter began getting ear infections. With no health insurance we shelled out nearly $1,900 to deal with the ear infections.

    I have also been denied health insurance a few times, once by an employers insurance carrier because I am missing my right kidney due to trauma, and have an on going problem with my throat. My insurance each month is through the roof, some months I have to drop my insurance to pay rent and get my family fed.

    My insurance carrier, Blue Cross, once denied my claim for an ER visit to have my throat scoped because while I was totally unable to swallow for nearly 40hrs, I was breathing. Had I lost consciousness then had someone call 911, they would have covered my claim. "

    From:
    http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=4562

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  17. maybe all of his bills are 100 percent covered because he doesn't pay the bills. his addiction to phone sex is also 100 percent covered.

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  18. This whopper also from thread 4562:
    "Wait until you are married, working without benefits, your girlfriend can't find a job, then the cat attacks. Watch that night at the hospital turn into "I need to bill four full days of editorial work to freelance clients (about $3k on average) to pay the hospital and doctor, how am I going to do that with student loans, rent and a car payment?"

    Married and a grilfriend? Quel studly.

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  19. "maybe all of his bills are 100 percent covered because he doesn't pay the bills. his addiction to phone sex is also 100 percent covered."

    HAH!

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  20. Ice cream!

    " I had my tonsils out on the 27th of October. The surgery is out patient, no overnight in the hospital. The bill was around $5,500 I think. "

    From:
    http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=18274

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  21. Anyone want to vet this?

    " On the topic, I have no college degree. I attended a few colleges, but only got any piece of paper from the Catholic Medical Center's Emergency Medical Institute's EMS Academy, in Queens, NY. (NY State EMT-D/Critical Trauma Care). "

    From:
    http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=9631

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  22. Wow...

    " My degree (license really, and now expired) is as a New York State Emergency Medical Technician - Defibrillator / Critical Trauma Care (NYS EMT-D/CTC). A year of school....my attention span wasn't long enough for college. This may explain my enrollment in five colleges (some at the same time). "

    From:
    http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=10652

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  23. My head is starting to hurt...

    " When I lived in New York I arrived at an MVA pin job along with two cops. Neither cop was an EMT, both just had basic first aid, both cops knew I was a news photog, neither knew my night job was as EMT-D/CTC in the Bronx, and that I volunteered with a medical rescue unit (who spent 90% of their time doing highway rescue in Queens/Brooklyn).

    Anyway, I refused to release my control of the patient until someone of equal or higher certification arrived. I was threatened with arrest for some made up charge ( I think it was being a non-qualified rescuer interfering with an MVA...they contested that since I arrived as a news photog I had no right to touch the victim). Anyway, it was sorted out quickly, while I still had control of the victim. Since I was in the car and the patient was pinned I missed most photos, not releasing the victim until he was secured to a KED and the roof was removed.

    While I am a news photog, and my first duty is usually to make a photo (especially while under contract to a news outlet like I was at the time) I elected to become an EMT-D/CTC, and prefer to help if I can. 99% of the time when qualified medical personnel arrive I step back and grab my cameras.

    Luckily I am very expired and out of state now. I can only operate within the guidelines of the Good Samaritan Laws, which is easier. "

    From:
    http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=14145

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  24. To 4:01

    So he is breaking the law in MA. Doesn't MA mandate health insurance coverage or pay a fine?

    Needing a ride to cover the Pats game? Can't he afford to rent a car? Someone as successful and award winning as him with clients all over the place surely can afford $100 to rent a car. can't he?

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  25. Another work history with some admitted larceny from an employer (alleged in his own words, counselor) .

    " -Pro Tech Support Advisor : Tamron/Bronica. Short lived, the company had no support for the two of us doing support, and we both quit. Hard to deal with pros when the company has no desire to back up what you are saying

    -Overnight custom Cibachrome printer while briefly in college. I did this job for about a year to support my Nikon habit, it was also a great way to get dark room time to had print my portfolio with someone else's paper, chemistry...and do it on their clock! (If you don't know what cibachrome prints are you probably also missed shooting with Tri-X and Ilford HP-5+, and making black & white prints on deadline)

    -Emergency Medical Technician / Critical Trauma Care : Metro North Ambulance - 911 Assignment - Lincoln Hospital - Bronx, NY : Want to have fun on the overnights? Think you've seen it all? Try working the 11:PM to 7:AM shift in 'da Bronx running 911 calls. I did this while shooting as a full-time freelancers in the days for a wire (Used to shoot nights, but took off 9 months to work on an ambulance). I can't even describe the stupidity of the 4:AM call from 911 for "Man with toe pain," or the guy running from the cops so fast with his head down he ran into the side of our unit and knocked him self unconscious.

    ......with every job I have always been shooter, shooting assignments regularly. Shooting is the only job I have really had since my very first paycheck. "

    From:
    http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=14370

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  26. Folks, please check the dates on the Sportsshooter threads referenced here. They range through the entire nine year history of the site, so some predate certain pieces of legislation.
    As always, thank you for your time.

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  27. So funny that he's giving advice for people to step back and shoot with something longer than a fisheye. Because most everything we've seen from him is shot at 16mm or wider.

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  28. "Folks, please check the dates on the Sportsshooter threads referenced here. They range through the entire nine year history of the site, so some predate certain pieces of legislation.
    As always, thank you for your time."

    sure thing Frischling!

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  29. Did I mention the DL?

    "I strongly suggest seeking out an orthopedic surgeon. Last year I had a fight with a Ford Taurus (I lost) and ended up in a brace which held my right arm at a 90degree angle for nearly four months.

    I am sure you injury is not this severe, but the pain can get worse, and the loosening in your shoulder can get worse.

    To eliminate some of the pain do not hang your cameras off the injured shoulder. Try and transfer the weight of the camera into the less affected hand. While shooting before my surgery (I actually shot some pro lacrosse while in the brace. What a challenge!) I'd put all the weight into my left hand (then again raising my right arm gave off a horrible cracking sound which made at least one photog literally nauseous) and use a monopod on smaller lenses, such as the 80-200f2.8.

    When shooting avoid heavy use of the injured arms, such as turn down any assignment which has your climbing anything, or in a very cramped space where you might lean on your arm to get an extra inch of room to shoot.

    Go see a doctor. Remember muscles tears may not show up on a standard x-ray. Get the problem examined. Might need some time off to heal, but in the long run it is well worth it

    On a side note for humour, my toilet was only 6" from the wall, I have 35" arms, now try and sit down with a brace holding your arm out at 90 degrees, only bent at the elbow. "

    From:
    http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=2258

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  30. " I can see clearly now..." or maybe not

    " My eye doctor attributes my good eye/bad eye (good eye = right eye / bad eye = left eye) to my shooting with both eyes open. He has told me more than once that shooting with both eyes open puts significant strain on the eye not looking through the lens.

    The human eye is relatively equivalent to a 43mm lens (on a 35mm camera), my right eye looking through a lens is using a lens to see a specific angle of view. My left eye has to strain to see at 17mm or 600mm, because it is trying to see what my right eye is seeing, although it obviously can't since there is no lens in front of it. His suggestion is I shoot with my left eye closed, but I keep it open quite often when shooting (although it is closed some of the time).

    What is kind of funny is after a car accident two summers ago I destroyed my shoulder, but also somehow pulled muscles behind my right eye. The only suggestion 3 eye doctors gave me for healing the pulled muscles was to not strain my eye for 3-6 months. They all agreed it would be somewhat hard for me to not strain my eye since I stair through a little black hole for hours at a time , then edit on a laptop :0) "

    From:
    http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=6624

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  31. 4:29 that wasn't him... it was your humble researcher who's been posting the quotes since 3:50 requested his medical history. I just want the lunacy to be accurately received. Thanks!

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  32. He positively glowing...or not

    " I have put myself in a number of dangerous situations for work, but I will not play with nuclear fall out, and the long term affects of radiation. "

    From:
    http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=9935

    I thinking the possibility of brain damage would be redundant here. Enough of this, I'm going to watch House as soon as I do a search on Frischling and Lupus

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  33. "Folks, please check the dates on the Sportsshooter threads referenced here. They range through the entire nine year history of the site, so some predate certain pieces of legislation.
    As always, thank you for your time."
    March 7, 2011 4:23 PM

    Why check the fuckin' facts. They only dilute the story!!

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  34. A month or two ago the New Yorker magazine had a great cover that showed an entire ward of a hospital filled with Spider-Men (plural) in various states of traction. The joke, of course, was an allusion to the accident plagued Broadway production of "Turn out the Dark."

    I'm reminded of this when I think of Steven. Has there ever, ever, ever been a person with more tales of medical woe?

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  35. "I have been doing insurance for over 30 years"
    March 7, 2011 3:50 PM

    Please share your company name, fact or fiction? I have been in the insurance biz for over 95 years and I am the Easter Bunny.

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  36. ^Why are you so interested in challenging the people who post various comments on our blog posts?

    Yet you have nothing to say about the blog posts themselves.

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  37. "Not really - could be married, separated with a girlfriend"

    except Steven Frischling has never been married.

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  38. yeah, john gotti sr. once thru me into the hudson chained to a heavy cup of coffee. it was not starbucks so i lived

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  39. I am not a combat photographer. I am not a sports photographer. I am not a news photographer. How normal is this? I am also too lazy to go through the posts to do a summary, but here is a rough guess from a cursory look at the above

    FF's had
    one or at least 80% of a kidney removed
    Parts of his throat/neck removed scoped, etc
    At least 2 shoulder issues (the Taurus and 9/11)
    Broken teeth
    Concussions
    Eye Problems
    Tonsils removed
    Broken fingers
    Broken leg

    How old is he? I thought I saw a post where he said he was 27 in 2002 on the Fuck yeah Sportsshooter board. That would make him 36. So if he started shooting at age 18, in 18 years he has had at least 9 medical issues or one every 2 years. Since some of those were pretty major, he is getting hurt at a rate worse than a professional football or rugby player. Maybe we should just call him the ironman.

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  40. Since some of those were pretty major, he is getting hurt at a rate worse than a professional football or rugby player.
    March 7, 2011 5:36 PM

    And your fuckin' point is what? I'm 93 and I'm the Easter Bunny and I have been banged up a great deal, also. Kids are always fuckin' with my furry tail and ears! And Cadbury just cut my job, shit! They told me they are outsourcing it to some creep named Peter Pan in Neverland.

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  41. Steve,
    By continuing to bring up a reference to a mythical creature, the Easter Bunny, are you saying you want to be compared to a myth also? Does that explain the many myths you tell? or are you just saying you have mythical powers to heal like the Easter Bunny?

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  42. "And your fuckin' point is what? I'm 93 and I'm the Easter Bunny and I have been banged up a great deal, also. Kids are always fuckin' with my furry tail and ears! And Cadbury just cut my job, shit! They told me they are outsourcing it to some creep named Peter Pan in Neverland."

    shouldn't Susannah Seefeldt/Susannah Frischling have better things to do with her time than leave these wacko messages on a blog? how about getting the father of her children the mental help he desperately needs?

    and if you're trying to distract from the blog's stories, you just look as nuts as him.

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  43. Responding to this blog is piglet's full time job.

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