Hochul suspends press secretary, NYT reports

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — As originally reported by the New York Times, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul placed her press secretary, Avi Small, on administrative leave. The suspension followed an allegation that Small inappropriately touched another male staffer, according to two sources familiar with the matter who spoke to The Times.

A request for comment from Small went unanswered as of Thursday afternoon. Nor did Hochul’s camp confirm the story, though communications director Anthony Hogrebe sent 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.”

A source familiar with the process told the Times that Small was not informed of the complaint’s specific nature when suspended. The alleged incident occurred around June 16 in Albany.

Small joined Hochul’s office in 2021. When she assumed office after former Governor Andrew Cuomo stepped down over accusations of sexual harassment, Hochul pledged to run an office free from the misconduct that plagued the previous administration.

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