Patrick Kane Cab Driver Incident: Charges, Plea, and Aftermath

The Patrick Kane cab driver incident was an August 2009 arrest in Buffalo, New York, after the Chicago Blackhawks forward and his cousin fought with a taxi driver over 20 cents in change. Both men were initially charged with felony robbery, but a grand jury reduced the charges, and the case ended with guilty pleas to non-criminal disorderly conduct, a $125 fine for Kane, a written apology to the driver, and a one-year conditional discharge.¹

What Happened That Night

In the early hours of Sunday, August 9, 2009, Kane, then 20, and his cousin James M. Kane took a cab from Chippewa Street, Buffalo’s nightclub district, to Eastwood Place in South Buffalo.² The driver was 62-year-old Jan Radecki. The fare came to $13.80. The Kanes paid with $15, and Radecki gave back $1.00, saying he didn’t have the remaining 20 cents.³

What happened after that is contested. Radecki told reporters the passengers turned violent immediately. “He went berserk over 20 cents and started choking me,” he said. “The other one was punching me like crazy.”² He also said one of the Kanes told him, “Don’t you know who I am? You’re messing with the wrong people.”⁴ Radecki suffered facial cuts, bruises, and broken glasses.⁵

Radecki’s own attorney, Andrew LoTempio, acknowledged that some Buffalo cab drivers lock passengers inside the vehicle until full payment is received. A Buffalo television station reported that an anonymous witness said the Kanes were actually the victims and that Radecki had locked them inside the cab. Neighbors described Radecki as having a short temper and a history of disputes with customers.²

The Original Charges

Buffalo police arrested both Kanes and charged them with second-degree robbery, a felony, along with misdemeanor theft of services and fourth-degree criminal mischief. They pleaded not guilty in Buffalo City Court the same day and were released.⁶

The robbery count drew immediate skepticism, including from the alleged victim’s own lawyer. LoTempio called it “probably a large distortion of what happened,” said flatly, “It was not really a robbery,” and, asked whether the case would end as a felony, answered, “Absolutely not.”⁵ Kane retained Buffalo defense attorney Paul Cambria. On August 17, Kane publicly apologized, saying, “I sincerely apologize for the pain I’ve caused.”⁷

How the Case Was Resolved

On August 19, 2009, an Erie County grand jury dismissed the felony robbery charge. It indicted both Kanes on lesser counts: third-degree assault and theft of services, both misdemeanors, and harassment, which under New York law is a violation rather than a crime. The court also entered a no-contact order between the Kanes and Radecki.⁸⁹

Radecki’s attorney said his client wanted a public apology rather than jail time, and Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita III said any plea would depend on the victim’s wishes, the severity of his injuries, and other factors.⁸

The case closed on August 27, 2009. Before Chief City Judge Thomas Amodeo, Patrick and James Kane each pleaded guilty to a single non-criminal charge of disorderly conduct. All other charges were dismissed.¹¹⁰ Both men received one-year conditional discharges and were required to write a letter of apology to Radecki. Kane paid a $125 fine. A violation of the discharge could have brought up to 15 days in jail and a $250 fine.¹¹ After a year of compliance, their records would be cleared.

What Happened to Kane Afterward

Neither the NHL nor the Blackhawks publicly disciplined Kane over the arrest. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league was “looking into it” and did not “condone or approve” of the alleged conduct, but no suspension or fine followed.⁵ The season that followed, 2009–10, ended with a Stanley Cup for Chicago.

The taxi case is separate from the sexual assault allegation Kane faced in Hamburg, New York, in 2015. In that later matter, DA Sedita announced in November 2015 that no charges would be filed, calling the case “rife with reasonable doubt,” and the accuser declined to pursue prosecution.¹² In March 2016, the NHL completed its own review and concluded the allegations were “unfounded,” taking no disciplinary action.¹³

1
Reuters. Kane Pleads Guilty in Fracas With Taxi Driver
2
ABC 7 Chicago. Patrick Kane Arrested in Buffalo
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NBC Chicago. Pat Kane to Get Plea Deal
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Sports Illustrated. Patrick Kane
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ESPN. Cab Driver’s Attorney Says Kane Incident Overblown
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CBC. Blackhawks Star Accused of Robbing Cabbie
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ESPN. Kane Sorry for Pain He’s Caused
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ESPN. Grand Jury Dismisses Felony Charge Against Kane
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State Journal-Register. Kane Shows Emotion After Not Guilty Plea
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Los Angeles Times. Patrick Kane Incidents Timeline
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Red Deer Advocate. Patrick Kane, Cousin Plead Guilty to Disorderly Conduct
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CNN. Patrick Kane No Charges
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ESPN. Patrick Kane Not to Face Disciplinary Action