Frank Owen Calls the Cops on Steve Lewis
Chris Mohney
November 18, 2008
New York nightlife chronicler Frank Owen was none too appreciative of beloved nightlife columnist Steve Lewis' hyperbolic, cartoonish wish to pop Owen in the nose at this past weekend's Paper Nightlife Awards. So concerned is Owen about the entirely metaphorical nose-popping that, according to an item shaping up for tomorrow's Page Six [UPDATE: here it is], Owen will be pressing charges against Lewis. Says Steve, "Owen is half my age and twice my size, so I guess it would be a fair fight. But he's so drunk all the time, it really wouldn't be fair, so I'd never actually get into a fight with him." Should law enforcement apprehend Steve Lewis in days to come, we'll set up a pledge drive here to bail him out. Meanwhile, after the jump, enjoy a transcription of the angry voicemail Owen just left us! Uh oh.
“Hello, this is Frank Owen, author of Clubland, who Steve Lewis threatened in his blog yesterday. I just want you to know I just filed a complaint with the local police department. You know, I don’t blame him, because he’s not a journalist, and he doesn’t know any better, and he’s an idiot. But I blame you, especially since you put that ‘popping’ [unintelligible] in the headline. Look, I don’t want to see Lewis arrested, he may still be on probation, he’s a convicted felon, right? But if this happens again, right, I will sue you. Do your job, for Christ’s sake!”
Comments (8)
Posted by steve lewis on Wed Nov 19, 2008 at 12.42 am
statements on page 162 and 163 of your book never happened. these remarks attributed to me were thrown out of court by the judge. you know this and agreed to correct. no big deal frank its all water under the bridge and i’ve moved on. i hope you know i would never pop you in you’re nose.
Steven,
Thank you. Now I know what you’re talking about. If you say the DEA invented these quotes, I believe you. God knows, they invented other stuff. But it’s not a “confession”. The fake quotes don’t implicate you in any wrong-doing, they implicate Peter Gatien, the guy you told me on-the-record was “the most evil man I’ve ever met”. Apologies for taking the DEA’s word over yours. I know you’re not a liar. But you are a drama queen.
Frank Owen
Posted by john on Wed Nov 19, 2008 at 09.29 am
who’s peter gaitien? he sounds cool
Peter Gatien was the owner of the Limelight, a notorious drug den in the 1990’s. Steven worked for him. Gatien was acquitted of federal racketeering charges in a high-profile trial and now lives in Canada. Read “Clubland: The Fabulous Rise and Murderous Fall of Club Culture” if you want to know more.
Posted by Sal on Wed Nov 19, 2008 at 03.06 pm
ahh free publicity
Posted by Tom on Wed Nov 19, 2008 at 10.33 pm
Hey Frank,
How old are you? Like twelve? Because you come off like a whiny teenage girl in this.
Posted by brendan schlitz on Sun Nov 30, 2008 at 01.00 pm
hello all, happy holidays! i’m looking to get intouch with Frank owen.. if anybody has a email or contact it would be great.. frank if you read this im in florida and would enjoy speaking to you.i have something you would love!!!!!!!!!!!thanks Brendan (port richmond)
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Posted by fxowen on Tue Nov 18, 2008 at 07.50 pm
Steven,
I decided to drop the complaint. The problem is the detective says if he goes ahead with an investigation you might end up being arrested for aggravated harassment. I don’t want that. Not over this bullshit. If you want to discuss this like a man instead of whining behind my back all the time, I’ll be at the Manhattan magazine party at the Time-Warner Center this Wednesday. I still have no idea what passage in the book you object to.