Councilman Andy King, a Democrat from the Bronx, is now facing:
- A $15,000 fine
- A 30-day suspension
- Removal from all committees
- The installation of a taxpayer-funded independent monitor at his office
Speaking before a vote held by the City Council on Monday, Speaker Corey Johnson said the disciplinary measures are the most stringent levied by the legislative body against one of its own members in recent memory.
"These grave actions are unprecedented by the council," Johnson said. "In the history of our modern legislative body, no member has ever faced such a long suspension or high penalty by council vote."
Forty-four members of the council voted in support of punishing King. A motion to expel him from office was introduced by Queens Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer.
"My motion, which I have in writing here, is to replace the current bill with a resolution to expel Council Member Andy King from the New York City Council," the Democrat said in the council chambers.
But that move failed to garner enough support, with several members voicing concern that they would be overturning the will of King's constituents.
Republican Staten Island Councilman Steve Matteo, chair of the Standards and Ethics committee, which led the investigation into King, said the council should be wary of overturning the will of voters in King's district.
"Overturning the will of the people of the 12th district or any other district should be reserved for cases in which we don't think we have any other alternatives," Matteo said.
A defiant King stat stoic during the meeting. Given a chance to speak, he railed against the process. He did not apologize.
"Because people say things sometimes don't necessarily make it true. Because they get their feelings hurt doesn't necessarily make it true," King said.
Chloe Rivera, one of King's accusers, came forward by writing an opinion piece in the New York Daily News calling for his removal. She watched the vote from the balcony.
"I'm very disappointed that the motion failed. Expulsion is really the only answer to address the root of sexual harassment, which is about power dynamics. The fact that he remains in office is very disappointing," the City Council staffer told NY1.
For now, King is vowing to put up a fight.
"I'm going to continue to serve. I'm going to continue to do whatever my job allows me to do. I'm still going to speak out for the people. When I come down here, I'll vote how I have to vote. I will still do my job," King told reporters after the vote. "For any staffers who got their feelings hurt, or whatever might have gone wrong, I pray with them, I pray for them."
King has filed a lawsuit against the council, alleging his rights to due process were violated in this process. Until a judge hears his argument, the council expects to move forward with its disciplinary action. It's not clear if King will face criminal charges.
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