Latest news with #AviSmall
Fox News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Hochul aide accused of sexual harassment was focus of prior behavior probe: report
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's top aide who was recently placed on leave over a sexual harassment allegation, reportedly had previous complaints filed against him which led to an investigation. Avi Small, Hochul's press secretary, was reportedly the subject of complaints for allegedly berating junior staff members, according to Politico. The outlet cited five people with direct knowledge of the probe who were granted anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter. According to Politico, the governor's human resources department and an outside law firm conducted the investigation. The people familiar with the matter who spoke with Politico said Small had a history of yelling at younger staff, making several employees afraid to work with him. Politico reported that four out of the five who spoke with the outlet said they witnessed Small chastising staffers over errors in press releases or if the governor's speaking engagements did not go as planned. The investigation into Small's treatment of junior staff did not result in a human resources violation, Politico reported, citing another person familiar with the outcome. That source reportedly told Politico that Hochul had inadvertently created a system in which allegations quickly led to serious probes that could tarnish a subject's reputation. Law firm Calcagni & Kanefsky reportedly conducted interviews with Hochul's staff regarding Small's conduct. According to Politico, which cited sources, staffers were worried when they learned an expansion of deputy secretaries' responsibilities would mean Small would work more closely with underlings. Politico reported that several staffers met with human resources after the conclusion of the 2024 investigation to ask about the lack of information on the probe's outcome. The staffers were reportedly encouraged not to discuss the allegations against Small. Additionally, multiple sources reportedly told Politico that there was information given to human resources about Small cornering a subordinate in a supply closet and questioning them. Small was recently placed on leave over an allegation that he inappropriately touched a staffer during an office retreat in Albany on June 16, according to reports. Multiple outlets said that the governor's office claimed action was taken against Small shortly after the complaint was filed. When Hochul took over for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo after he was ousted amid sexual harassment allegations in 2021, she vowed that "no one will ever describe my administration as a 'toxic work environment.'" Cuomo has denied any wrongdoing. In October 2021, according to a press release from Calcagni & Kanefsky, Hochul announced new initiatives aimed at tackling workplace bullying and discrimination. Hochul's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment, which was submitted on July 4. Fox News Digital was also unable to get in contact with Small.
CBS News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's press secretary suspended over sexual harassment allegations, sources say
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has suspended her top aide amid sexual harassment allegations, CBS News New York has learned. Press Secretary Avi Small is accused of inappropriately touching another male staffer during a staff retreat in Albany on June 16, sources tell CBS News New York political reporter Marcia Kramer. Sources tell Kramer an internal investigation by Hochul's office and an external investigation by a law firm are both underway. A communications director for the governor's office sent CBS News New York the following statement: "Governor Hochul has zero tolerance for misconduct by any New York State employee, and has instituted the strongest workplace protections and training policies in State history. While we cannot comment on an open investigation, as soon as a complaint was brought to the Chamber the employee in question was placed on leave." According to sources, Small was placed on leave last week.
New York Times
02-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Gov. Hochul Suspends Top Aide Accused of Sexual Harassment
Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York has suspended her press secretary while her office investigates an allegation that he inappropriately touched another male staffer, according to two people familiar with the matter. The press secretary, Avi Small, joined Ms. Hochul's office soon after she was elevated to governor in 2021 following Andrew M. Cuomo's resignation amid a sexual harassment scandal. Since then, Mr. Small has become one of Ms. Hochul's most trusted aides and is often by her side in the State Capitol and at events across New York. The alleged incident took place on the day of an all-staff retreat on June 16 in Albany that included a softball game, the people said. It is unclear exactly where the misconduct is alleged to have occurred. From Day 1, Ms. Hochul promised to run an office free from the sort of toxicity and misconduct that multiple investigations found Mr. Cuomo had fostered with his behavior. He continues to deny many of these allegations. 'Governor Hochul has zero tolerance for misconduct by any New York State employee, and has instituted the strongest workplace protections and training policies in state history,' said Anthony Hogrebe, a spokesman for the governor. 'While we cannot comment on an open investigation, as soon as a complaint was brought to the chamber, the employee in question was placed on leave.' Mr. Small declined to comment. He was not informed of the nature of the complaint when he was put on leave last week, according to someone familiar with the process. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
