Bronx Councilmember, Andy King, Mounts Silent Defense As He Faces Expulsion for Misconduct

Councilman Andy King, the embattled Bronx politician, kept total silence as he held a news conference on Friday outside his East Gun Hill Road office and let his attorney, Joey Jackson, defend him against waves of demands that he be expelled from the City Council.

Jackson defended the 58-year-old Democrat by stating that King has done nothing wrong and referred to this treatment as a “character assassination against a councilman who stands up for his community.”

The move to expel him gained impetus in the Council on Tuesday after an extensive investigation into years-long allegations, including stealing city funds, taking bribes, violating council policies and city regulations, harassment, and inappropriate comments towards staff members.

This is the third time similar allegations against King have been levied, allegations he has consistently denied.

Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer, who, along with other members of the Council, attempted to have King expel previously in a vote that failed 34–12, tweeted that he would be voting a second time to have him removed. He followed up by saying, “Should have already happened, but this is a good signed.”

New York City Council candidate for District 33, Elizabeth Adams, shares that past inaction by the members, they “put staff at risk of abuse.” She continues to explain how the delayed decision to expel King “exposed the deep gaps in workplace harassment protections and showed how much further we have to go in standing with workers and trusting women.”

But Jackson warned against a rush to judgment. “All we ask for is fairness; all we ask for is justice,” he said.

The Council is set to vote Monday, October 5th, where we will also hear from Councilmember King.

Published at Brooklyn News Service on October 2, 2020