DOUBLE TROUBLE
2nd organization eyes role of tainted pol’s wife
A prominent progressive activist group might kick City Councilman Andy King’s wife off its board of directors because he used his position to boost her business interests — after she was already suspended and demoted by the influential union where she still works.
Neva Shillingford-King was stripped of her leadership position at 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, and New York Communities for Change is now considering severing ties with her, too.
Shillingford-King was an executive vice president of 1199, the largest health care union in the country, when Council investigators released a blistering report last year detailing how her husband misused his position to help her. She was also found to have used Council resources to do work associated with 1199.
She lost that title at 1199 and was suspended for three months, according to the union, which refused to say when the punishment began. Exactly what she’s doing for the union now is unclear.
“We are currently evaluating what role she will play in the union,” union spokeswoman Cara Noel said.
Shillingford-King is still on the board of New York Communities for Change, a liberal organization formed by members and staff of the nowdefunct ACORN group, but the organization said she hasn’t participated in a meeting in more than six months.
“We take very seriously the allegations of sexual harassment and improper use of city resources and staff facing Andy King and his New York City Council office,” board Chairwoman Marie Pierre said. “Given the severity of the allegations ... we are evaluating whether it makes sense for Neva to transition out of our board entirely.”
King’s office referred questions to the councilman (DBronx), who did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment from him or his wife. A phone number for Shillingford-King wasn’t available.
The councilman was previously sanctioned for “unwanted attention” he gave to a female staffer.