ALBANY, N.Y. — A disability rights advocate has filed a complaint with the New York State Police, alleging that state Sen. Kevin Parker, a Brooklyn Democrat with a history of violent behavior, shoved him twice in the state capitol building.


Michael Carey recounted that the incident occurred on Wednesday when he approached Parker before a committee meeting to ask for his support on a piece of legislation. Carey described the legislation as addressing a “Dr. Martin Luther King type of situation” concerning discrimination against people with disabilities. According to Carey, Parker lost his temper and, inches from his face, yelled, “I don’t care.”


Carey, whose advocacy began after his son Jonathan died while in state care, responded by asking, “You don’t care that my son died?” He claims Parker then grabbed his shoulders and shoved him, causing him to stumble backward, and then shoved him again.


“I was shocked. I couldn’t believe what happened,” Carey told The Associated Press.


Following the incident, Parker opened a committee meeting by joking about hoping it would be “as exciting as the pre-game.” His office did not respond to requests for comment.


The New York State Police confirmed they responded to a “disturbance” but did not provide further details.


The office of Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins also did not comment on the incident.


Parker has a documented history of physical altercations. In 2005, he was arrested on a third-degree assault charge for allegedly punching a traffic agent who issued him a ticket for double-parking. That same year, he had his pass for state buildings temporarily suspended due to security regulation violations. Two former aides accused him of physical assault in separate incidents, though no charges were filed.


In 2009, Parker was arrested again after chasing a New York Post photographer and damaging his camera, leading to a misdemeanor criminal mischief conviction. As a result, then-Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith stripped Parker of his position as majority whip.


Last year, Parker faced a lawsuit alleging he raped a woman early in his legislative career, which he has called “absolutely untrue.” The lawsuit is still pending.


Carey was seeking Parker’s support for legislation that would require staff in state and private facilities to report incidents of suspected abuse or neglect of vulnerable people to a 911 operator.