Reports from Albany indicate that a senior aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul has been placed on administrative leave following allegations of sexual harassment.
According to reliable sources, Avi Small, the governor’s press secretary, is accused of inappropriately touching another staff member at a bar in Albany last month. The incident reportedly occurred on June 16th at McGeary’s Irish Pub, following an office retreat for the governor’s staff.
The governor’s office has confirmed that an employee has been placed on leave as of June 25th, pending an internal investigation. A spokesman for Governor Hochul, Anthony Hogrebe, stated that the administration has “zero tolerance for misconduct” and has implemented stringent workplace protections and training policies.
Governor Hochul assumed office in August 2021, following the resignation of former Governor Andrew Cuomo amid his sexual harassment scandal. At that time, Hochul pledged that her administration would not be described as a “toxic work environment.”
This situation raises important questions about the effectiveness of workplace conduct policies and the challenges of maintaining a professional environment in political offices. As the investigation unfolds, it will be crucial to monitor how the Hochul administration handles this matter in light of its previous commitments.
The evidence suggests that the governor’s office is taking the allegation seriously, but many details remain unclear. We will continue to follow this story as more information becomes available.
