A New York record company executive has been arrested for refusing to tweet a message ordered by the New York Police Department.
The incident arose after a crowd of young girls had amassed in the city to see pop star Justin Bieber, who was signed to the company. The police wanted the crowd to disperse, and told Def Jam Records senior vice president James Roppo to “tweet” a message telling the group to leave.
However, Roppo refused. Police said the group was a safety concern and 35 units were called to help control the crowd.
Roppo was charged with felony assault, endangering the welfare of a child, obstruction of governmental administration, reckless endangerment and criminal nuisance. He has pled not guilty, and is due in court on 9 December.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
