Senator Ada Smith Censured

In the latest in a string of bizarre incidents involving State Senator Ada Smith, the Senate’s Democratic Leader David Patterson removed her as the ranking member of the Committee on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions citing a “consistent pattern of inappropriate behavior.”
With her loss of title due to the censure, Smith will also lose the $9,500 stipend that comes with the position as well as access to a car that members of the Democratic Conference can utilize.
“Moreover, I am formally instructing the Senator that she is no longer authorized to request work or assistance from members of the central staff,” Patterson said in a statement.
These developments come one month after police charged Smith with a misdemeanor for allegedly throwing hot coffee at and pulling the hair of one of her staff members. Smith has disputed those charges claiming that they are untrue.
Patterson appointed a committee to look into the “inappropriate, unprofessional, and often abusive behavior” that he said has come to characterize Smith’s interaction with members of the Senate staff as well as others, but he said it did not correspond with the recent criminal allegations.
Some past incidents of alleged inappropriate behavior include accusations by members of her staff as well as a 1998 incident where a New York City police officer claims she bit his hand during a traffic incident.
“I will continue to hope that Senator Smith will find a way to comport herself in a manner that befits the dignity of her office and the public trust she holds,” Patterson said.
Calls for comment were not returned by Senator Smith before press time.