Letitia James knew in regards to the sexual harassment complaints as early as Oct. 2 -- and saved them underneath wraps because the Nov. 8 election approached.
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Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo was enmeshed in quite a few scandals, together with a coverup of nursing-home COVID deaths, but it was state Legal professional Basic Letitia James’ report on sexual harassment allegations in opposition to him that was key to his resignation. Now James’ workplace has its personal sex-harassment mini-scandal; an outdoor investigator ought to probe it.
Not like with Cuomo, allegations of harassment weren’t lodged in opposition to James however in opposition to her chief of employees, Ibrahim Khan, who stepped down on Nov. 22. That was the day a legislation agency her workplace employed, Littler Mendelson, substantiated allegations in opposition to him of undesirable kissing and touching.
But James knew of the complaints, from two separate ladies, as early as Oct. 2 — and saved them underneath wraps because the Nov. 8 election approached.
Critics are elevating a raft of questions, most significantly: For the way lengthy was the AG really conscious of any alleged sexual harassment by Khan? Did she defend him in any unethical (and even maybe unlawful)method, particularly given her duties to report such conduct?
Additionally: Was it kosher to maintain the allegations secret for nicely over a month, till the election was over? On the very least, she disadvantaged voters of that data earlier than they solid their ballots.
Solely now has the general public “realized that James’ longtime chief of employees” resigned “underneath a cloud of sexual harassment allegations,” fumes Michael Henry, who misplaced in his bid to topple James in final month’s election.
“The Albany swamp is as noxious as ever. New Yorkers have a proper to know whether or not the highest legislation enforcement officer within the state suborned sexual harassment, coated it up or delayed addressing it to win an election,” provides Assemblyman Kieran Michael Lalor (R-Fishkill).
James’ workplace instantly ordered Khan to modify to distant work and stop communications with coworkers, however was that ample? Ought to he have been suspended? The AG additionally employed Littler Mendelson to look into the allegations, although that agency employs a former assistant legal professional basic. Nor did she get the state comptroller’s pre-contract approval earlier than hiring the legislation agency, one thing she’d be required to do sooner or later if the agency’s charges topped $50,000.
James’ workplace insists it took all the suitable steps: “An impartial, neutral investigation was performed, and the worker has since resigned,” AG spokeswoman Delaney Kempner says.
If that's the case, then James ought to welcome an outdoor probe — which might solely present she’s been nothing however upright.
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