JFK COP TRIED TO GROUND EATERY: SUIT

A Port Authority cop led a vicious campaign to run a JFK Airport restaurant out of business by falsely arresting, harassing and discriminating against its owner, according to a $10 million lawsuit.

Otis Stone, a Jamaican immigrant, said his American dream was shattered when a police lieutenant made his life a living hell.

Stone, 42, said the trouble started two years ago, when he tried to get a liquor license for his Chef's Orchid Restaurant, located in a cargo building and catering largely to airport personnel.

Stone said Lieut. Jack Ryan interfered, then became enraged that Stone went over his head to get the license, and started harassing him.

First, there was the subtle stuff, like calling Stone's restaurant "the hood" and referring to his cuisine as "black food, according to the suit." Then Ryan forced Orchid to shut down for 30 days after a small fire, Stone said.

After that, Ryan arrested Stone and issued summonses for illegal bottle clubbing and illegal warehousing, according to the suit.

Stone said he thinks Ryan's power play was backed by the PA, which wants him out of his space, even though his lease agreement doesn't expire until next year.

A PA spokesman could not be reached for comment.