Cash giveaway promo turns into free-for-all at Manhattan park

NEW YORK -- Even giving away something for free can turn into a hassle in New York.

A video-sharing Web site set out to observe Leap Day by handing out prizes worth up to $29 on Feb. 29 outside Union Square Park.

As the clock neared the event's scheduled time -- 2:29 p.m. -- people shouting "Make it rain!" and "Give me my money!" trampled one another and mobbed the costumed representatives of CashTomato.com.

Some people wrested bags of cash-stuffed envelopes and other items from the CashTomato workers, said Jason Buzi, who identified himself as the company's senior vice president.

"Before I knew it, I was on the floor" and under a pile of people, said Anabel DeJesus, 17. She left without any prize. "It's not worth it," she said.

Police didn't have any information Saturday on whether anyone was injured or arrested.

Buzi said CashTomato has staged uneventful giveaways in other cities, and he was startled by the Manhattan mayhem.

"It turned out to be a lot of aggressive people," he said. "Maybe next time, I would plan this better."