Democratic Leader in State Senate Accused of Sexual Misconduct

By Jesse McKinley

ALBANY — The leader of a powerful group of renegade Democrats in the New York State Senate has been accused by a former staff member of forcibly kissing her outside an Albany bar in 2015.

The allegation surfaced in a HuffPost article on Wednesday, just minutes after the senator, Jeffrey D. Klein, held an extraordinary conference call with reporters to pre-emptively deny the accusation. Mr. Klein then released an investigative memorandum by his lawyers asserting that the former staff member had been drinking and behaving unusually that evening.

The woman, Erica Vladimer, told the HuffPost that Mr. Klein had kissed her against her will while the two were having a celebratory post-budget cigarette outside Justin’s bar in downtown Albany with other staff members and lawmakers.

“All of a sudden there was a hand on the back of my head and he shoved his tongue down my throat,” Ms. Vladimer, 30, told the HuffPost. “In my head it lasted forever, I don’t think it lasted even three seconds.”

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Source: The New York Times

Statement from Governor Andrew Cuomo

"Every allegation of sexual misconduct must be taken seriously. I agree with Senator Klein and with Senator Krueger that this disturbing situation should be investigated, and I believe it should be done immediately and independently."

Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo