By Carla Zanoni
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
UPPER MANHATTAN — City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez called for an emergency meeting with constituents this week to discuss allegations that he aggressively "touched” a female City Council staff member during an argument last month.
The alleged incident is said to have occurred during a City Council budget meeting held on Friday, June 25. An e-mail sent by Rodriguez's office late Wednesday night asked for a discussion of "the false accusations made against our Council Member."
In a later statement, Rodriguez denied the accusations that he touched anyone in a threatening manner and asserted that the City Council's Standards and Ethics Committee, which is investigating the allegations, had denied him an opportunity to speak at a “sit down” meeting between him and his accuser. The alleged victim's name has not been made public, but she is reportedly not on Rodriguez's staff.
Representatives for the City Council did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In his statement, Rodriguez, who represents Inwood and Washington Heights, also accused the ethics committee of leaking information to the media and public regarding the pending case.
“My reputation was tarnished, and it may very well have invited unwelcome attention to the staffer who complained,” he said in the statement. “I will be asking the committee to look into the leak to ensure the integrity of future investigations.”
The councilman alluded to his recent issues with the Council during a town hall meeting in Washington Heights held by the Public Advocate’s office Wednesday night, where he spoke on a panel that included PA Bill de Blasio, Councilman Robert Jackson and State Sen. Bill Perkins.
“Being a community activist has a price,” Rodriguez said. “And I am paying that price in the Council."
De Blasio responded, “You’re sitting here with City Council members who have also stirred the pot, Ydanis. Don’t worry, we can tell you, it all works out in the end.”
Rodriguez plans to meet with the community to address the issue Friday night, July 23, at 7 p.m. at 330 Audubon Avenue, between West 181st and 182nd streets, 3rd floor.
