ALBANY – A top aide to Gov. Kathy Hochul was slapped with a suspension as an investigation was launched into claims he sexually harassed another staffer, The Post has learned.
Hochul press secretary Avi Small is on leave after a staffer accused him of “inappropriate touching,” The New York Times was first to report.
“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,” Hochul spokesperson Anthony Hogrebe wrote in a statement.
“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.”
Small has been a long-time member of Hochul’s press team. He was a deputy press secretary before taking over for Hazel Crampton-Hays in mid-2023.
Per the Times and Politico’s reporting, the alleged incident happened at popular watering hole McGeary’s Pub in downtown Albany after a staff retreat for the governor’s office.
Hochul came into office in 2021 after ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned in the face of a slew of sexual harassment allegations. Her administration quickly updated the state’s sexual harassment policies.
According to the state’s own policy, “unwanted verbal or physical advances, sexually explicit derogatory statements or sexually discriminatory remarks made by someone which are offensive or objectionable to the recipient,” can be considered sexual harassment.
“Any investigation of workplace sexual harassment must not only be thorough, speedy and independent— it must also be survivor centered,” Erica Vladimer, founding director of Harassment-Free Albany, wrote in a statement. “Knowing how others who have come forward were treated in the past, I hope the person who made the complaint is getting the support and guidance they deserve.”
Prior to joining the Hochul administration. Small worked on President Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign and on the staff of state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Manhattan).
