Related To Story TIGGER INVESTIGATION
Tigger: Teen Grabbed Costume, Cut Off Air Supply POSTED: 12:24 pm EST January 7, 2007 The Orange County Sheriff's Department is investigating an incident caught on tape over the weekend at Disney-MGM Studios. Jerry Monaco, of New Hampshire, accused an employee dressed as Tigger of hitting his son while the family posed for pictures, WESH 2 News reported. Jerry Monaco, of New Hampshire, accused an employee dressed as Tigger of hitting his son while the family posed for pictures, WESH 2 News reported. The union that represents Disney employees spoke out in defense of Tigger on Monday. The union that represents Disney employees spoke out in defense of Tigger on Monday. Union representative Donna Lyne Dalton said it was the teenager who was agitating the character, and she said it is clear from the videotape that the boy's parents were telling him not to get so close to Tigger. Union representative Donna Lyne Dalton said it was the teenager who was agitating the character, and she said it is clear from the videotape that the boy's parents were telling him not to get so close to Tigger. The Teamsters represent Disney characters and other hourly employees at Walt Disney World. Dalton said Michael J. Fedelem, who plays Tigger, said the teen grabbed him from the back of his costume, cutting off the air to him. The Teamsters represent Disney characters and other hourly employees at Walt Disney World. Dalton said Michael J. Fedelem, who plays Tigger, said the teen grabbed him from the back of his costume, cutting off the air to him. Fedelem said because of limited peripheral vision from the headpiece, he didn't realize when he swatted over with his arm, he didn't realize he was hitting the teen. Fedelem said because of limited peripheral vision from the headpiece, he didn't realize when he swatted over with his arm, he didn't realize he was hitting the teen. "Clearly, it sounds like, I guess it was the father, that was seeing that his son was irritating Tigger and telling him something to the effect of, 'Don't do that. Donít crowd Tigger,'" Dalton said. "Clearly, it sounds like, I guess it was the father, that was seeing that his son was irritating Tigger and telling him something to the effect of, 'Don't do that. Donít crowd Tigger,'" Dalton said. She said it's obvious that Fedelem was trying to get out of a bad situation. She said it's obvious that Fedelem was trying to get out of a bad situation. The family's attorney is telling a different story. Attorney Mark Morsch said Jerry Monaco Jr., 14, said that he was just standing with his arm around Tigger's shoulder. The family's attorney is telling a different story. Attorney Mark Morsch said Jerry Monaco Jr., 14, said that he was just standing with his arm around Tigger's shoulder. "The next thing I know, he twists my arm and he hits me," the teen told his attorney. "The next thing I know, he twists my arm and he hits me," the teen told his attorney. The family's attorney said a witness has come forward offering a different version of what may have caused Tigger to get upset. The family's attorney said a witness has come forward offering a different version of what may have caused Tigger to get upset. "He'd signaled his handler to leave, he wanted to leave the area. And the handler was ignoring him. He got agitated, according to this witness, and that's when he whacked my client," Morsch said. "He'd signaled his handler to leave, he wanted to leave the area. And the handler was ignoring him. He got agitated, according to this witness, and that's when he whacked my client," Morsch said. The Monaco family is asking for unspecified money damages from Disney. The Monaco family is asking for unspecified money damages from Disney. "I've seen this before where somebody wants free stuff from Disney," Dalton said. "I've seen this before where somebody wants free stuff from Disney," Dalton said. Disney said it is taking the incident seriously and that Fedelem has been suspended without pay during the investigation. Disney said it is taking the incident seriously and that Fedelem has been suspended without pay during the investigation. "Physical altercations or allegations of physical altercations are not tolerated at Disney," said Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Polak. "We regret any type of disruption this may have caused the family during their vacation." "Physical altercations or allegations of physical altercations are not tolerated at Disney," said Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Polak. "We regret any type of disruption this may have caused the family during their vacation." A spokeswoman for the Orange County Sheriff's Office said the agency is conducting a criminal battery investigation. Police said the case will hinge on whether there's probable cause the man playing the Tigger character actually meant to hit the teen. A spokeswoman for the Orange County Sheriff's Office said the agency is conducting a criminal battery investigation. Police said the case will hinge on whether there's probable cause the man playing the Tigger character actually meant to hit the teen. To comment on this story, send an e-mail to Bob Kealing. Copyright 2007 by WESH.COM. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Teamsters Union has spoken out in defense of Michael J. Fedelem, a Disney employee who played Tigger at the Disney-MGM Studios theme park.

The international news media jumped on Fedelem Sunday, after he hit a teenage guest in the face.

Teamsters representative Donna Lyne Dalton says that the teen had been "agitating" the actor in costume. Dalton says the teen grabbed the back of the costume, effectively cutting off air. Because of his headpiece's limited peripheral vision, Fedelem was unaware he was swatting anyone, when he moved his arm.

On Sunday, video broke internationally of Fedelem as Tigger, hitting teen Jerry Monaco Jr. in the head. The New Hampshire tourist and his father both claim the hit was unprovoked.

"Nuh, no provokin' at all, ya know, it was all out of the blue." Junior told FOX News.

Monaco Sr. commented, "At first I'm upset with my son. I'm like, Jerry don't, ya'know ... but then I review it, I mean it's pretty clear, for no reason, he just clocked him in the face."

A full version of the video was released on YouTube yesterday. In the footage before Tigger's punch, Monaco Sr. taunts Tigger, saying "Aw, too much? Heh... I was on your head."