State Sen. Kevin Parker allegedly shoved disability rights advocate Michael Carey before the start of the Senate Energy Committee meeting today, according to Carey and two other individuals who witnessed the altercation.
Carey, who is known to be vocal with lawmakers, shared with POLITICO a copy of a police report he filed, which can be read here.
In it, Carey alleges the lawmaker got in his face and screamed “I don’t care,” before putting his hands on him twice and shoving him in front of a room full of people, according to the report and a subsequent interview.
At the same time the incident was unfolding, shouting can be heard on the recording of the elections committee happening next door on the Capitol’s first floor.
Parker did not respond to multiple requests for comment from Playbook.
He is known for his explosive outbursts and physical altercations, which include allegedly shoving a legislative staffer, breaking a New York Post photographer’s camera and cursing out other lawmakers. Carey said he had been completely unaware of that history, which includes being convicted of a misdemeanor for the altercation with the Post photographer.
“This is multiple situations,” Carey said. “He’s a danger to other people. He was a danger to me.”
The disability advocate said the incident started minutes before the committee meeting, when he asked Parker to cosponsor a 911 civil rights bill, which he is trying to make law in memory of his son who died in 2007 at a group home.
When Parker, chair of the energy committee, said he was looking into the matter, Carey said he told Parker the issue was analogous to Martin Luther King Jr.’s fight against discrimination and reminded Parker of his son’s death. Parker then yelled “I don’t care” when Carey brought up his dead son and got inches away from Carey’s face before shoving him, according to Carey.
Witnesses, who were granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter, said Carey was also shouting at Parker during the incident.
Carey then said he left the meeting and requested a State Police officer come to the scene. He asked the officer to inform Parker that if he apologized to Carey he would not press charges. Parker did not apologize and instead invoked his right to counsel, Carey said.
“I was kind of shocked, he didn’t apologize,” he said.
State Sen. Mario R. Mattera, a Long Island Republican who serves as the ranking member on the Energy Committee, also said he witnessed the altercation but declined to go into detail.
“There was tensions, yes, there was tensions, and it was unfortunate in a lot of ways, but that’s something that Senator Parker and that gentleman need to get through, and hopefully they can,” Mattera said.
He also said it was inappropriate for Carey to take up the issue of the bill at the committee meeting instead of trying to speak with Parker in his office.
Carey said he wants a restraining order against the senator.
“I understand when people don’t deal with anger issues, they’ll go on to hurt other people,” Carey said. — Jason Beeferman
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dems all need putting down they are a cancer to our society
Democrats gave you Social Security, Medicare , disability income, labor laws and many other things that PREVENTED communism from ever gaining popularity in the USA.
…if anybody needs to be “put down” are stupid trolls like you, constantly reflecting your ignorance and unhappiness under anonymity..
You are so so so wrong. Reliance on the government is what communism and socialism is. They GAVE us social security. No our tax dollars gave it to us. And this government you are so proud of has depleted our money. They stole our money. The saddest thing is if you vote! With people like you is how we got into this mess.
Plain and simple if there is a habit of violence with this individual he should be removed from his position promptly. The blame is solely on him.
Gee I wonder what would happen if the tables were reversed