New York City Councilor Andy King was kicked from council by a 48 to 2 vote over allegations of misconduct and harassment. (New York City Council)
New York City Councilor Andy King was kicked off council after a 48-2 vote.
This is likely the first time that a city council member has been kicked out of New York City Council.
The board’s ethics committee recommended Mr King’s expulsion after holding a vote last week that required a two-thirds majority to approve.
Mr King was ousted on Monday over several allegations he misbehaved in power and abused his position of power. Among the incidents at the heart of his dismissal are allegations that he harassed city council staff, skipped mandatory training and attempted to organize a $ 2,000 kickback.
The council tried to expel Mr King once before in 2019, but was missing the votes.
Corey Johnson, Chairman of the Board, said the vote was “a sad day for New York City Council”, and said “drastic action is now our only option”.
“This is not a decision to be taken lightly, but the King Council member gave us no alternative,” Mr Johnson said. “This is the third time this committee has had to discipline the Board member, yet it continues to show blatant disregard for the rules and policies put in place to protect the staff and integrity of this body, including understood by undermining the controller that was imposed. to try to correct his blatant behavior. “
Mr King said he was targeted for political reasons and that his dismissal was unfair.
In his defense, he cited United States Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas – who was accused of misconduct by Anita Hill during her confirmation hearings – and called for a vote to remove it from a “ High-tech lynching orchestrated by my political enemies to satisfy their agenda ”.
“My heart is breaking right now. I followed sensitivity training. I continue to fight for New Yorkers. I continue to fight for the Bronxites, ”King said. “It’s not just what I went through at the moment. If no one has ever been deported for not having committed a crime, I ask us not to be the Council doing this. “
The story continues
According to a 48-page report detailing Mr King’s misconduct, the former city councilor has kept his office in order through fear and coercion. He allegedly retaliated against staff members who cooperated with investigators examining his conduct and made homophobic comments comparing homosexuals to pedophiles.
Mr King has also been accused of organizing a retreat in the Virgin Islands as his wife’s daughter was celebrating her wedding.
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