Republicans are pushing Democratic colleagues to research state Legal professional Normal Letitia James for retaining allegations of sexual harassment in opposition to a longtime high aide beneath wraps forward of the Nov. 8 election.
“The Albany swamp is as noxious as ever. New Yorkers have a proper to know whether or not the highest regulation enforcement officer within the state suborned sexual harassment, lined it up or delayed addressing it to win an election,” mentioned Assemblyman Kieran Michael Lalor (R-Fishkill).
James’ chief of workers Ibrahim Khan resigned final week after the regulation agency Littler Mendelson substantiated allegations of undesirable kissing and touching, in keeping with the New York Occasions, weeks earlier than the election.
James has but to personally converse publicly on the resignation of Khan, although her workplace has claimed the incumbent Democrat adopted correct procedures in coping with Khan, whose ties to her stretch again to her time serving as New York Metropolis’s public advocate.
James’ workplace didn't present remark Monday.
“The Workplace of Legal professional Normal has protocols in place to completely examine any allegation of misconduct. The workplace takes these issues with the utmost seriousness and this case isn't any completely different. An unbiased, neutral investigation was performed, and the worker has since resigned,” AG spokeswoman Delaney Kempner beforehand mentioned on the matter.
However questions stay about how James’ workplace employed Littler Mendelson, which employs a former assistant legal professional normal, in addition to the extent to which James may need been conscious of another troubling habits by Khan earlier than current allegations by two girls.
Whereas stopping in need of becoming a member of their calls, Meeting Minority Chief William Barclay (R-Pulaski) accused James of “deliberately” hiding the accusations in opposition to Khan forward of her shockingly shut 53% to 44.5% win over unknown and largely unfunded Republican Michael Henry.
James additionally refused to interact in any debates with Henry forward of the election.
The revelations mark an ironic flip for James, in keeping with Barclay, who famous how she constructed her repute final 12 months whereas releasing a report about allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct in opposition to disgraced ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has denied wrongdoing.
“This can't wait till the state Legislature reconvenes in January. The State Meeting Judiciary Committee should convene a proper investigation directly into what Legal professional Normal James knew, when she knew it, and why that data was withheld from the general public,” Assemblyman Colin Schmitt (R-New Windsor) mentioned Sunday.
Different Republicans calling for a probe embrace Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Backyard Metropolis) and state Sen. Thomas O’Mara (R-Elmira), who's urging colleagues in his chamber to launch a probe of their very own.
“It calls into query her health for the job,” O’Mara mentioned.
“Sexual harassment happening in any authorities workplace ought to alarm each New Yorker,” he added.
State Senate Investigations Chair James Skoufis (D-Woodbury), reached Monday, was non-committal about probing the matter involving James and Khan.
“The investigations committee, which has performed much more investigations than it ever did beneath Republican rule, will appropriately contemplate each problem that involves our consideration,” Skoufis instructed The Publish.
“It seems the Legal professional Normal’s Workplace was investigating the governor for a similar offenses being dedicated inside her personal workplace. It’s powerful to match this degree of hypocrisy,” Barclay mentioned.
In September 2017, when James was town’s public advocate, The Publish printed an unique report a few former worker who accused Khan, James’ chief of workers on the time, of drugging and sexually assaulting her.
Angel DuBose, then 47, alleged that the incident came about throughout a December 2014 vacation celebration on the since-shuttered Woodrow’s pub in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood.
In a criticism filed with the state Division of Human Rights, DuBose accused Khan of constructing suggestive feedback earlier than providing her a drink, after which she went outdoors and later wakened in the course of the road.
DuBose additionally mentioned that she reported the alleged incident to a supervisor in January 2015 however that nothing was performed and she or he was later fired in an act of alleged retaliation.
James’s workplace mentioned on the time that DuBose was fired “for trigger” and known as all of her allegations “an outright lie.
“The Manhattan District Legal professional’s Workplace investigated DuBose’s allegations and determined to not file prices, and in addition mentioned it referred her allegations to town Division of Investigation, “which reviewed and closed this matter.”
The Publish eliminated the article from its web site as a result of it discovered DuBose had not truly recognized Khan as the one who drugged and assaulted her, and mentioned she had no reminiscence of who the attacker was.
Cuomo’s resignation in August 2021 was foreshadowed by Republican requires investigations, later adopted by an Meeting impeachment probe, into alleged malfeasance together with sexual harassment and a cover-up of COVID-19 deaths amongst nursing dwelling residents.
Meeting Judiciary Chair Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove) and Meeting Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) didn't instantly present remark Monday.
With James now feeling the warmth, Republicans say they continue to be hopeful that colleagues throughout the aisle may grill her someday quickly.
“We are able to get the Judiciary Committee occurring it. I’m positive they’re bored for the reason that Cuomo resignation!” Ra mentioned Monday.
Post a Comment