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Lap-dancing NYPD cop Vera Mekuli slammed for playing 'sexist card' in video apology

Vera Mekuli has offered her apology to Melissa McGarry for giving a lap dance to 44th Precinct Lieutenant Nick McGarry in the Yonkers bar

An NYPD rookie, who went dirty and gave a lap dance to a married lieutenant at a holiday party for her Bronx precinct, has now apologized to the cop’s wife. Vera Mekuli has offered her apology to Melissa McGarry for grinding on top of 44th Precinct Lieutenant Nick McGarry in the Yonkers bar on December 16. She also revealed that she’s been working from home after the incident went viral and has felt “judged”.

The 26-year-old told TMZ, “I feel like just because, mainly — I’m a female, dressed the way I was, being a rookie ‚— things were different. Had it been a man doing it, I feel like it would have been more of a joking matter and it would have stayed in-house versus go public the way it did with me.” She also mentioned that she did not know Nick was married as she said, “I do want to apologize to the lieutenant’s wife. You know, I am sorry, truly I am and I really hope it didn’t cause too much damage in the marriage or in your personal life.”

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“I know it’s been rough. I’ve been seeing the articles and I’ve been seeing pictures of new guys all over the newspapers as well as mine. It wasn’t meant to be like this. I really had no knowledge of your marriage,” the newbie female cop, who joined the department in February, stated.

Though Mekuli was not disciplined after the incident, her senior has reportedly been reassigned to serve in Transit District 12 in the Bronx. She said, “It was supposed to be for fun and giggles. I feel like I’ve completely ruined, I guess, his picture as a lieutenant, as a boss. I know it doesn’t look good on him at all. But I do apologize.” 

Mekuli also told the publication that she’s “the life of the party when it comes down to it” and at the December 16 party, she was “dared” by her colleagues to do the lap dance. The woman then “grabbed the lieutenant, sat him down” and “did the lap dance". She also expressed her interest in going back to work. Mekuli said: “I would love to go back. It’s hard. I feel like there’s just judgment and shame that shouldn’t be there. I feel like I shouldn’t be judged, or anything of that sort because of the lap dance that I did when I was off duty, not in uniform.”

Meanwhile, people on the internet have reacted to the whole drama. Most of them have thrashed Mekuli with one writing, “If it was a man it would be sexual harassment come on rookie.” Another one said, “MAJOR Sexual harassment LAWSUiT liability to ALL environments/men! The endless red flags of liability being emitted from this woman is stunning!!!!” The third user tweeted, “Don't matter- man or women. It's unprofessional and you Both should be fired. PERIOD.”

A person commented, “‘NYPD rookie sorry for boss’ lap dance — but says a man wouldn’t see same backlash’ Really?? First, it’s her boss. 2nd, If a man did anything close to this, they’d be fired for sexual harassment>>#Mekuli forget about the me too movement?” The second one added, “So she got drunk and made a fool of herself and now wants to play the sexist card. Typical.”