Gerry Cooney and Four Others Charged After Scuffle With Police in a Hotel Bar

HARRISBURG, Pa. —  Heavyweight boxer Gerry Cooney and four other men were charged early Monday after a scuffle at a hotel bar in which Cooney’s bodyguard was knocked unconscious, police and a spokesman for the city said.

Cooney, who is training in nearby Lancaster for a possible comeback, became abusive to an off-duty policeman, Greg Williams, spokesman Joseph Sweeney said.

A second off-duty policeman, Richard Stilo, stepped in to mediate. One of Cooney’s companions, Robert Wesnofske, 37, of Huntington Station, N.Y., identified himself as the boxer’s bodyguard, poked Stilo in the stomach and said: “What are you going to do, fat belly?”

Stilo identified himself as a police officer and warned Wesnofske not to interfere. When Wesnofske persisted and Stilo tried to arrest him, Wesnofske spun the officer around and pushed him against a wall, Sweeney said.

When Wesnofske cocked his arm, as if to punch Stilo, the officer knocked Wesnofske unconscious with two punches to the face, Sweeney said.

Cooney and three of his companions were charged with disorderly conduct or public drunkenness. All four were released after being issued citations.

Wesnofske was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer and was held overnight. Cooney said the whole affair “was a bad rap. I’m sorry this thing ever happened. It’s very confusing. I didn’t get my name as Gentleman Gerry doing this kind of thing.”