Ada L. Smith

In 2004, a former Smith staffer, Wayne Mahlke, alleged that Smith had subjected him to verbally abusive comments relating to sexual orientation. The following year, the state’s Division of Human Rights dismissed his claims due to insufficient evidence.<ref name=”nytimes2006″/>

In 2004, a former Smith staffer, Wayne Mahlke, alleged that Smith had subjected him to verbally abusive comments relating to sexual orientation. The following year, the state’s Division of Human Rights dismissed his claims due to insufficient evidence.<ref name=”nytimes2006″/>

Smith attacked a staffer, Jennifer Jackson, on March 21, 2006. The attack occurred in Smith’s Albany office. Smith flew into a rage and threw hot coffee in Jackson’s face after the staffer commented on her weight. Jackson also alleged that Smith pulled off her hairpiece, injuring her neck in the process, and threatened to kill her if she reported the incident. The senator had just returned from a [[WW International|Weight Watchers]] meeting that morning to report she had lost 4.3 pounds. According to published reports, Jackson did not intend to insult Smith; rather, she lightheartedly commented that she would have expected her boss to have shed more pounds given her constant on-the-go lifestyle. Smith’s lawyer denied the charges and accused Jackson of lying to authorities, claiming that Jackson actually told the senator she needed to lose 100 pounds.

Smith attacked a staffer, Jennifer Jackson, on March 21, 2006 in Smith’s Albany office. The senator arrived at the office following a [[WW International|Weight Watchers]] meeting that morning and mentioned that she had lost 4.3 pounds. Jackson told police that she replied, “‘at the rate you go around, I would have thought you’d lose 20 pounds'”. Jackson claimed that Smith “cursed, threw coffee in her eyes, and pulled her hairpiece”.<ref name=”coffee” /> Before leaving the office, Jackson allegedly told Smith, “‘Senator, you can’t do this to people. It’s abusive'”. An angry Smith allegedly pulled off Jackson‘s hairpiece, threw it to the floor, and said, “‘If you tell anyone what happened in this office, I will f—ing kill you'”. Jackson was treated for injuries to her eyes, neck, and shoulders.<ref>https://nypost.com/2006/04/07/death-threat-by-pol-tale-of-coffee-toss/</ref> Smith’s lawyer denied the charges and accused Jackson of lying to authorities, claiming that Jackson actually told the senator she needed to lose 100 pounds. In the aftermath of the coffee attack, then-Senate Minority Leader [[David Paterson]] stripped Smith of her state-issued car, her honorary title, and a $9,500 per year [[stipend]] attached to her leadership position. Paterson stated that the coffee attack was the latest example of what he called “a pattern of inappropriate, unprofessional and often abusive behavior” from Smith.<ref name=”coffee”>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/18/nyregion/in-coffeethrowing-case-a-second-allegation-emerges.html|title=In Coffee-Throwing Case, a Second Allegation Emerges|first=Michael|last=Cooper|date=April 18, 2006|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref>

In August 2006, Smith was convicted of [[misdemeanor]] [[harassment]] in connection with the coffee attack. Smith was fined and ordered to attend an anger management program.<ref>https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Brooklyn-assemblywoman-indicted-for-fraud-12484274.php#photo-7947373</ref>

Originally charged with misdemeanor [[Battery (crime)|battery]], Smith rejected a plea offer that included anger management counseling and chose to go to trial. On August 26, 2006, Smith was convicted of [[misdemeanor]] [[harassment]] in [[Albany, New York|Albany]] City Court.<ref name=”TimesUnion-SMITH-DENIESPLEA”>”State senator rejects plea deal”. ”Times Union”. 2006-04-27.</ref> In the aftermath of the coffee attack, then-Senate Minority Leader [[David Paterson]] stripped Smith of her state-issued car, her honorary title, and a $9,500 per year [[stipend]] attached to her leadership position. Paterson stated that the coffee attack was the latest example of what he called “a pattern of inappropriate, unprofessional and often abusive behavior” from Smith.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/18/nyregion/in-coffeethrowing-case-a-second-allegation-emerges.html|title=In Coffee-Throwing Case, a Second Allegation Emerges|first=Michael|last=Cooper|date=April 18, 2006|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref>

In 2006, ”The New York Times” reported that tabloids referred to Smith as “‘the Wild Woman of Albany'”.<ref name=”nytimes2006″/>

In 2006, ”The New York Times” reported that tabloids referred to Smith as “‘the Wild Woman of Albany'”.<ref name=”nytimes2006″/>