Rumors of State Senator Kevin Parker’s plea deal with the Kings County District Attorney’s office have been exaggerated.
So say officials from the D.A.’s office, who told this paper that there is no deal is on the table regarding Parker’s assault charges stemming from an attack on a New York Post photographer.
The D.A.’s office disputed an allegation made in the New York Daily News Monday stating that Parker was “poised to cut a deal” that would make sure that he kept his State Senate seat — prime real estate in the tumultuous power grab currently going on in Albany.
Parker was arrested on May 8 for attacking photographer William Lopez, who was assigned to take a photo of him outside the legislator’s home on Avenue H. At the time, the Post was preparing a story on Parker’s home facing foreclosure.
Although Lopez was on the sidewalk, Parker chased the shutterbug in a fit of rage.
He allegedly pursued Lopez around the corner to the photographer’s car and leapt in after him when he jumped inside, officials alleged.
In the ensuing struggle, Parker allegedly broke the lensman’s flash. He also kicked out the interior door panel to Lopez’s 1998 Subaru Forester, police alleged. Lopez reportedly suffered a swollen middle finger during the clash.
Cops took Parker in for questioning and ultimately charged him with criminal mischief, as well as misdemeanor assault and harassment.
A grand jury upgraded the charges to assault in the second degree — a felony — a few weeks later, officials said.
If Parker is convicted of a felony, he would automatically lose his seat in the 21st Senate District, which covers Flatbush, East Flatbush, Borough Park and Kensington.
While political insiders believe that the seat would undoubtedly go to a Democrat, it is possible that the seat could go to a conservative Democrat who could caucus with the Republicans in Albany, giving them another vote to end the 31-31 deadlock.
Last year, Parker fended off a challenge by democratic City Councilmember Simcha Felder, who many say has more conservative leanings than Parker and has ties to Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Calls to both Parker and his attorney, Lonnie Hart, were not returned as this paper went to press.
