Gothamist: An outside law firm extensively questioned Gov. Kathy Hochul’s staff last year about a top aide’s workplace conduct — months before he was placed on leave over a separate sexual harassment allegation.
Attorneys contracted by Hochul’s office spent hours questioning members of the governor’s communications staff about press secretary Avi Small, according to two people with knowledge of the investigation who were unauthorized to speak publicly.
The lawyers from the firm of Calcagni Kanefsky LLP, who are on retainer to investigate issues with the governor’s office, focused in large part on Small’s management style, the staffers’ interactions with him and how he treated his colleagues, the people with knowledge of the probe said. The questions centered on workplace conduct, not sexual harassment, the people said.
The allegations that initiated the investigation, or how it was resolved, were unclear.
Hochul’s office placed Small on leave last week amid a new, separate investigation into an allegation he inappropriately touched a staffer, the New York Times reported Wednesday. Politico reported the alleged incident occurred at a downtown Albany bar following a June 16 staff retreat.
