Ada Smith

Ada Smith (b. 194?), served as a New York State Senator from 1989 to 2006. She represented the 10th Senate District, centered in the Jamaica, Queens section of New York City.

Smith, an African-American, was ranking Democrat on the state Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee, and gained notoriety for several brushes with the law. She lost the 2006 Democratic senate primary election to Shirley Huntley, who was elected state senator later that year.

Background

Born in Virginia, Smith was raised in New York City and is a graduate of Baruch College in Manhattan. Smith, who is unmarried, previously worked as deputy clerk to the City Clerk of New York City.

Coffee attack

Smith was convicted on August 25 in Albany City Court of misdemeanor harassment stemming from an attack on a former aide, Jennifer Jackson in March 2006. Smith was originally charged with assault. In the incident, Smith threw hot coffee at Jackson after the staffer commented on her weight. The senator, who is heavy-set, had just returned from a Weight Watchers meeting that morning to report she had lost over 11 pounds. According to published reports, Jackson said she expected her boss to have shed more pounds given her active lifestyle. Jackson accused Smith of pulling her hairpiece and injuring her neck in the process.

Ravi Batra, Smith's attorney, told reporters that his client was innocent of the charges against her and accused Jackson of lying to authorities.

According to Batra, Jackson, who was 41 at the time of the attack, told Smith "You need to lose 100 pounds."

Smith chose to go to trial on the charges, rejecting a plea deal that would include anger management counselling.ref|TimesUnion-SMITH-DENIESPLEA

Discipline

In the aftermath of the coffee attack, which occurred in Smith's Albany office, Senate Minority Leader David Paterson stripped Smith of her state-issued car as well as a $10,000 per year stipend attached to her leadership position. Paterson, who is now Governor of New York, cited a pattern of erratic and violent behavior on Smith's part in making his decision.

Previous incidents

Smith's former Chief-of-Staff, Philip Mahlke, quit after 8 months due to her abusive language, including statements about Mr. Mahlke's sexuality. [http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/blog/archives/2006/04/the_bobby_knigh.html]

New York City police used mace to bring Smith under control after she allegedly bit an officer during a traffic stop in Brooklyn.ref|TimesUnion-SMITH-DENIESPLEA

In 2004, Smith was convicted of speeding past a security checkpoint at a state garage in Albany. [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/07/nyregion/07ada.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss] Smith has gone through over 200 staff members in her 17 years in the Senate. [http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/blog/archives/2006/04/the_bobby_knigh.html]

Conviction

On August 26, 2006, Smith was found guilty of harassment - a reduction from what had originally been a misdemeanor assault charge - a sentence under which she will serve no jail time. [http://www.capitalnews9.com/content/headlines/?ArID=190202&SecID=33]

References

# "State senator rejects plea deal," "Times Union", news, April 27, 2006.
# "ALBANY'S 'WILD' POL TOSSED COFFEE ON ME, STAFFER SEZ," "New York Daily News, news, March 23, 2006.

External links

* [http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=516842&category=OPINION&newsdate=9/14/2006 Hope For The Good Guys]
* [http://www.capitalnews9.com/content/headlines/?ArID=194194&SecID=33 Judge turns down senator's request]
* [http://www.wonkette.com/politics/blind-items/ada-smith-more-about-her-misdeeds-166611.php Ada Smith: More About Her Misdeeds]
* [http://www.nydailynews.com/news/local/story/406348p-344091c.html 'Wild Woman' tales]
* [http://thepoliticker.observer.com/2006/03/erratic-in-albany.html Erratic in Albany]