A-Sleaze-blymen

Cuomo finally blows his lid at behavior of lawmakers

In the past two weeks, two more sexual harassment scandals involving Democratic NYS Assemblymen have come to light, finally prompting a scathing response from Governor Andrew Cuomo.

A total of four women have filed a notice of claim against married 60-year-old Assemblyman Dennis Gabryszak (D-Cheektowaga), claiming sexual harassment. The women claimed they were subjected to repeated sexual comments and lewd texts.

And in yet another case of alleged bad behavior by a lawmaker, Assemblyman Micah Kellner was removed from his position as Libraries Committee chairman for inappropriate sexual conversations he had with young female staffers in 2009 and 2011.

“The latest reports of sexual harassment in the Assembly should be the last straw,” Cuomo said in a released statement. “This pattern of behavior is repugnant by every standard and directly contradicts the policies the Assembly has advanced for the last 20 years. Assemblymember Micah Kellner’s conduct, confirmed by the Assembly Ethics and Guidance Committee’s investigation, has no place in New York State government. It is time for him to immediately deny these allegations or resign. Likewise, Assemblymember Dennis Gabryszak must immediately deny the allegations against him or resign. If they do not resign, the Assembly must send a clear message that they do not tolerate this abuse of women and should seriously consider moving to expel them if they seek to return this coming session. Enough is enough. It’s a new year; let’s start with a clean slate.”

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who had his own scandal in 2013 when he faced accusations of covering up sexual harassment by Assemblyman Vito Lopez, barred Kellner from employing interns and froze his staff allocations.