Former police review board commissioner accused of punching state trooper

A man is accused of punching a state trooper during a concert at the Empire State Plaza on Thursday evening. The man accused of doing is the former coordinator of Albany’s Community Police Review Board.

Clay Gustave was swearing and shouting at state troopers Wednesday night, police said.

When he was asked to leave, he continued to be disruptive, said police.

As they started to escort him out, police say he punched a trooper in the head and neck.

He then resisted arrest, investigators said.

Gustave was removed from his position as coordinator for the Albany Police Review Board in 2020, after he was accused of resisting arrest during a traffic stop. Those charges were dropped. Gustave then filed a lawsuit against the city and Albany Police, alleging his civil rights had been violated.