New York legislator arrested in photographer assault

A New York state senator has been charged with a felony and stripped of his legislative leadership positions after being arrested for assaulting a New York Post photographer on Friday.

Sen. Kevin S. Parker (D) was arraigned on Saturday in the Brooklyn incident, but did not enter a plea. His attorney said he will plead not guilty.

New York Post photographer William C. Lopez said he took a picture of Parker at Parker’s mother’s home. The Post was preparing a story on the apparent foreclosure of a home owned by Parker. The New York Daily News reported that Parker came out of the house and came toward the photographer. When Lopez retreated to his car, Parker allegedly tried to pull open the door and take his camera. The photographer said there was damage to his car and more than $1,000 of damage to his camera.