Officer who tackled James Blake sues for defamation

New York - The police officer who tackled James Blake in a mistaken arrest has filed a defamation lawsuit against the former pro tennis player and the police department.

Officer James Frascatore (fras-kuh-TOHR'-ee) says city officials threw him under the bus after video surfaced of the 2015 encounter outside a Manhattan hotel. He says Blake painted him as an "out of control and corrupt officer" in his new book, "Ways of Grace."

Police believed Blake was a suspect in a credit card fraud ring. He was tackled by Frascatore and handcuffed but let go after officers realised their mistake.

The city's law department said it would review the complaint but couldn't comment while proceedings were pending. Harper Collins didn't immediately return a message seeking comment.