NYC Council opens ethics probe into member accused of biting police officer

The New York City Council’s standards and ethics committee has initiated proceedings against Councilmember Susan Zhuang, who is facing separate criminal charges for allegedly biting a police officer during a protest over the summer.

A Council spokesperson confirmed the proceedings on Tuesday after a reporter spotted Zhuang in the lobby ahead of the committee meeting. Most of the proceedings were closed to the public.

“The Committee opened the matter regarding Council Member Zhuang and has held it in suspension pending the resolution of the ongoing prosecution by the Brooklyn District Attorney, as it has in the past when a Council member was facing pending criminal charges,” spokesperson Shirley Limongi said in a statement. “The committee will respect that process. The confidentiality rules that apply to the proceedings of the committee prevent further comment.”

Limongi did not clarify the exact reason for the ethics proceedings.

Zhuang told Gothamist she would not comment on the matter, following her attorney's advice.

This story has been updated with comment from City Councilmember Susan Zhuang.