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Steven Kinas, left, listens as Jeffrey Follmer, the president of the Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association, address reporters in 2012. Kinas responded Monday to comments made by WMMS shock jock Shane "Rover" French regarding their confrontation July 5. French pleaded guilty to misdemeanors Monday.

(The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland police officer Steven Kinas fired back late Monday at the words of WMMS shock jock Shane “Rover” French involving their July 5th confrontation over fireworks, saying French tried to attack his credibility to boost the disc jockey’s case.

“My statements have never changed from the beginning of this ordeal,’’ Kinas told The Plain Dealer.

His comments came hours after French and his radio sidekick, Michael “Chocolate Charlie” Toomey pleaded guilty to four misdemeanors – inducing panic, disorderly conduct, illegal use of fireworks and criminal damaging -- in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

Judge Brian Corrigan placed each of them on a year’s probation, suspended a six-month jail sentence and ordered them to pay $3,414 in restitution.

The felony charges involving French’s confrontation with Kinas at a Whiskey Island marina July 5 were dismissed.

The crux of the case stems from the early morning confrontation between French and Kinas. The officer reported that he was on his boat called Anger Managed when French shot fireworks in the direction of Kinas’ boat about 3:40 a.m. French was near his boat, Off Air, near Olde River Yacht Club.

The officer said he approached French, who then shoved him. Other Cleveland officers later arrested French and Toomey.

French said Kinas assaulted him and knocked him unconscious for 30 to 40 seconds.

“(Prosecutors) wouldn’t have dropped these weighty charges if they believed there was any validity in them,’’ French said. He added that Kinas made statements that were contradicted by videotape and other evidence.

Kinas said the videotape contradicts him in one area: what he said he wore that night. He said his clothes were different than what the video shows. He said he was not surprised that the case ended in a plea, with felonies dropped, as that happens often.

French and his attorney, Larry Zukerman, said they are considering whether to file a lawsuit over the confrontation.

The officer said lawsuits often are filed in high-profile arrests. He said he would not discuss the sentence that French received, saying “that’s up to the courts.’’