TMZ: MTV Criticized For Snooki Video

PHILADELPHIA - TMZ has the goods on the man who attacked Snooki from “Jersey Shore,” and why the show is under fire for showing that video.

The cable network showed a brief clip a few weeks ago of a man in a bar punching out Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi.

Viewers posted the brief clip on the Internet, causing a sensation. Now, MTV will address the issue next Thursday.

TMZ has the mug shot of Snooki’s attacker, identified as North Queens Community High School gym teacher Brad Ferro.

See Mugshots On TMZ.com

The New York Post says Ferro hasbeen moved out of class and into one of the Department of Education’s teacher reassignment centers, also known as a "rubber room," agency officials confirmed. Education Dept. officials said they hadn’t been informed about his arrest earlier because it occurred out of state.

Ferro, 24, of Deer Park, Long Island, was arrested on charges of assault and disorderly conduct shortly after 2 a.m. on Aug. 19 for punching Polizzi at the Beachcomber Bar & Grill in Seaside Heights, according to local police.

Ferro was initially told to lay off the booze by bouncers at the popular resort bar because he seemed too drunk, Seaside Heights Det. Steve Korman told The Post.

Ferro managed to stay inside the bar and eventually swiped booze belonging to Polizzi and her entourage.

"That started a verbal altercation after which he struck her in the face," said Korman. "She sustained an injury to the inside of her mouth due to the punch."

The video shows Ferro suddenly walloping the woman in the jaw -- sending the 21-year-old's head reeling backward.

Ferro could not immediately be reached for comment, and Polizzi did not return a message left at her upstate Marlboro, NY home.

"Jersey Shore," which debuted last week, has been taking heat from Italian-American groups who are enraged about its negative stereotyping of Italian youth as bimbos and buffoons.