July 22, 2014: A white flag flies atop the west tower of New York's Brooklyn Bridge. The NYPD is investigating who was behind the flag switch, but one person called The Daily News claiming responsibility. (AP)
The self-proclaimed founder of the POT Party, a pro-marijuana and anti-government group, claimed responsibility Thursday for last week's American flag swipe on the Brooklyn Bridge, The Daily News reported.
The Rev. Bud Green reportedly called the paper and said the government is "trying to silence the people" and said it was only the increased security at the bridge that prevented another planned flag swipe.
Green told the paper he is a former "Jerry Springer Show" producer, said he did not know the names of the people who carried out the switch, but called them "professionals."
The NYPD told FoxNews.com that they could not confirm the report, but said it is continuing the investigation.
The white flags -- which appeared to be American flags measuring 20 feet by 11 feet that were bleached white -- were discovered by construction workers around 5:30 a.m. last week.
NYPD Commissioner William Bratton said "he's not particularly happy about the event," and said police were seeking the public's help in finding suspects.
Green told the paper he did not actually carry out the plot, but it was his idea.
"I believe in being showy and being political," he said. "You have to make a spectacle of yourself."
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
