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New York Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin was found guilty of violating the sexual harassment and confidentiality policy of the State Assembly. On Wednesday, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie disclosed the findings of the Ethics Committee’s investigation into allegations against McLaughlin. A female colleague accused the Republican Assemblyman of asking nude photos of her.

Findings of the New York Assembly Ethics Committee

In a letter to Heastie, the Ethics Committee said McLaughlin engaged in sexual harassment by asking a female employee for naked photos. Therefore, he broke the Assembly’s policy prohibiting harassment, discrimination and retaliation. The Committee also found that he violated the June 2018 Instruction when he revealed the identity of his accuser and details of the sexual harassment. Additionally, the Committee found that McLaughlin lied to the independent investigator when he said he had no idea about his accuser.

Sanctions against New York Assemblyman McLaughlin

Based on the findings and recommendations of the Committee, Heastie implemented sanctions against McLaughlin. The Assembly Speaker prohibited him from employing any interns. He also ordered him to stop revealing the name of the complainant, and the details of the allegations and investigations. Heastie also instructed McLaughlin to reimburse the cost of the comprehensive supplemental sexual harassment and retaliation prevention training he took in July 2017.

McLaughlin calls the findings “pathetic political hit job”

In a statement, McLaughlin denied engaging in any sexual misconduct and violating any Assembly policy. He called the findings of the Committee a “pathetic political hit job.” He said, “In what can only be described as a pathetic political hit job, a despicable element the New York State Assembly sunk to a new low when it used its Committee on Ethics and Guidance as a political weapon to release untrue, baseless and legally infirm allegations against me in an attempt to negatively impact my career as a public servant.” McLaughlin also emphasized that the Committee’s letter on June 23 indicated that “there was no finding of violation” of any Assembly policy. He said the Committee committed unlawful conduct and violated the New York Civil Rights Law section 73. The law protects the rights of any person subject to an investigation by a government committee. Furthermore, the New York Assemblyman said he asked the Albany County District Attorney to investigate the matter.