Hochul's press secretary faces serious sexual harassment claims

In New York, Avi Small, who is Governor Kathy Hochul's press secretary, was recently suspended due to allegations of sexual harassment. The accusations involve inappropriate behavior that allegedly took place during a staff retreat in Albany on June 16, when Small is said to have inappropriately touched another male staff member. Following the complaint, both an internal investigation by Hochul's office and an external investigation by a law firm were initiated to inspect the allegations and determine the validity of the claims. Reports suggest that Small has a history of complaints against him, which include accusations of berating junior staff members. These prior allegations led to an investigation executed by the governor’s human resources department in conjunction with an external law firm. The investigation encompassed interviews with Hochul's staff regarding Small's conduct, as staff members expressed concerns over his treatment and management style, particularly towards younger colleagues. Witness accounts indicated a pattern of aggressive behavior, such as yelling at staff over mistakes related to press releases or the governor’s speaking engagements. While the previous investigation into Small did not conclude with a formal human resources violation, it raised substantial discomfort among the staff, prompting them to seek clarity on the results of that inquiry. As a result, staffers were apprehensive about Small's increased authority after office changes expanded the roles of deputy secretaries, fearing an intensified impact on their working environment. In light of recent events following the allegations of sexual harassment, the tension within the office has grown, pointing to a broader concern about workplace culture in the governor's administration. Governor Hochul has indicated a commitment to establishing a safe and respectful work environment, affirming her zero-tolerance policy for misconduct. The administration's proactive measures include implementing strong workplace protections and training policies aimed at preventing any form of workplace misconduct. This situation continues to evolve as investigations unfold, and the governor's office is expected to provide updates as needed, emphasizing Hochul's dedication to maintaining a non-toxic work environment within her administration.