NY Capitol police arrest reporter for talking on cell phone

ALBANY - Police at the state Capitol arrested a New York Daily News reporter on Wednesday for talking on his cell phone in the Senate lobby.

Ken Lovett, the Daily News' Albany Bureau chief, was taken into custody after he was confronted by a Senate sergeant-at-arms while in conversation on his phone as he walked through the ornate area outside the Senate's chamber.

Lovett was handcuffed after an argument ensued. He was released without charges.

"The incident escalated quickly, and unfortunately he was detained by the State Police," Senate GOP spokesman Scott Reif said in a statement.

"We have formally requested that he be released and very much regret the incident."

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Cell-phone use is technically restricted in the Senate lobby, a common hangout for lobbyists, lawmakers and reporters when the Legislature is in town.

But the rule is frequently ignored and rarely enforced, and the Senate was not in session at the time.

Lovett was handcuffed and taken by police car to the State Police's holding station in Empire State Plaza near the Capitol.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo walked down to the station for Lovett's release, joking that he was Lovett's counsel.

"We don't believe any charges are going to be filed," Cuomo said. "Freedom of the press is alive and well."

Cuomo declined to say whether the police acted appropriately.

"The sergeant-at-arms can ask (State Police) to have someone removed," Cuomo said. "The Senate said they're not pressing charges. I don't know the circumstances of what happened."

Lovett, who was back working at his desk by 2 p.m., tweeted that State Police "were very professional. that said, I can't believe the police were even called."

The Daily News tweeted its reaction after Lovett was released: a mock T-shirt that said "Free Ken Lovett" with a photo of the reporter on his phone.

Cuomo's question-and-answer session with reporters following Lovett's release was interrupted by a woman who yelled and cursed at the governor within inches of his face, bumping into Cuomo's back at one point.

She wrestled with State Police when they tried to subdue her within a few feet of Cuomo.

The woman was charged with disorderly conduct and a violation under the state's Mental Health Law, according to State Police.

Her identity was not released.

JCampbell1@Gannett.com

Jon Campbell is a correspondent with USA TODAY Network's Albany Bureau.