New York, N.Y. – Governor Andrew Cuomo joined Sen. Charles Schumer in calling on a downstate assemblyman to resign amid accusations of sexual harassment,
according to the New York Times.
An assembly ethics committee found allegations--that Vito J. Lopez, 71, of Brooklyn sexually harassed two staff members--to be credible. Speaker Sheldon Silver censured Lopez on Friday, taking away a chairmanship and reducing his staff.
The Times reported the assembly quietly settled a previous harassment claim involving another staff member earlier this year.
The Times published a statement from the governor’s spokesman, Josh Vlasto. “Sexual harassment at the workplace cannot be tolerated in any shape or form. These are serious allegations and if true, the governor believes he should resign.”
Lopez was elected in 1984 and is considered a powerful lawmaker. He has denied the allegations.
Meanwhile, a state senator is warning of her impending arrest. Shirley Huntley of Queens said she is likely to be charged in a corruption investigation. One of her aides was arrested for allegedly stealing money intended for a nonprofit group founded by Huntley.
