A New York State senator, Kevin Parker, allegedly shoved a lobbyist, Michael Carey, before a committee meeting in Albany. The altercation took place as Carey was seeking support for a 911 civil rights bill and was discussing a change in state developmental disabilities systems. Carey claimed that Parker yelled “I don’t care” when he mentioned that his son had died while in state care. Parker allegedly lunged towards Carey after being called out for his lack of remorse, and onlookers had to intervene to hold Parker back. Charges have been filed against Parker after the incident.
Carey has expressed hope that Parker will seek help for his anger issues, despite the altercation. Parker joked about the incident at the beginning of the committee meeting and expressed hope that it would be as exciting as the pregame. Parker has a history of legal troubles, including allegations of rape in 2004 when he assaulted a woman while discussing disaster relief efforts for Haiti. He was also arrested in 2005 for assaulting a traffic agent and accused of threatening a former aide in the same year. In 2010, Parker was convicted of misdemeanor criminal mischief for chasing a photographer and damaging their camera.
The altercation between Parker and Carey took place in the capital building in Albany before a committee meeting on energy and telecommunications. Carey had approached Parker seeking support for a 911 civil rights bill and a change in state developmental disabilities systems. When Carey mentioned that his son had died while in state care, Parker allegedly responded callously with “I don’t care.” Carey then called out Parker for his lack of remorse, leading to Parker allegedly lunging towards him. Onlookers had to intervene to hold Parker back, and charges have been filed against him as a result.
Despite the incident, Parker treated the situation lightly at the beginning of the committee meeting, joking about the altercation. This behavior is consistent with Parker’s history of legal troubles, including allegations of rape in 2004 and assault charges in 2005. Parker has faced multiple accusations of aggressive behavior, including threatening a former aide and damaging a photographer’s camera in separate incidents. The lawsuit filed in November 2023 alleged that Parker assaulted a woman while discussing aid efforts for Haiti, adding to his already tarnished reputation.
Parker has a history of legal issues, including allegations of rape, assault, and criminal mischief. Despite these allegations, Parker has remained in office and has joked about the altercation with Carey at a committee meeting. Carey has filed charges against Parker for the incident, expressing hope that the senator will seek help for his anger issues. The altercation took place as Carey was seeking support for a 911 civil rights bill and a change in state developmental disabilities systems. Charges have not been filed against Carey, but the incident has shed light on Parker’s turbulent past.
