JCOPE Releases Report on Lopez Scandal to Legislative Ethics Committee
The New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics sent to legislators its long-awaited report on sexual harassment complaints against sitting Assemblyman Vito Lopez. Last year, the Assembly secretly approved a $103,000 settlement to end sexual harassment allegations against Lopez by two female staffers. Gerald B. Lefcourt, a Manhattan attorney representing Lopez, confirmed that the report covers sexual harassment claims against Lopez and the $103,000 settlement using public money. The Legislative Ethics Commission will make the JCOPE report public within 45 days.