Amid swirling allegations of sexual harassment, Gov. Kathy Hochul's longtime press secretary Avi Small has tendered his resignation. The resignation follows a suspension and subsequent investigation into claims that Small inappropriately touched a staffer at a bar in Albany after a staff retreat last month. Hochul's office has confirmed the resignation but has withheld further comment on the situation, as originally reported by The New York Post.
Interestingly, questions about Small's behavior surfaced well before the latest allegations came to light. An outside law firm, Calcagni Kanefsky LLP, retained by the governor's office, conducted extensive questioning of Hochul's staff regarding Small's workplace conduct several months ago, sources revealed to Gothamist. The investigative inquiries at that time were more focused on management style and general interactions rather than outright sexual harassment.
"While we cannot comment on specifics of any individual personnel matter, any complaints made to the Executive Chamber have been reviewed according to our stated policies and appropriate actions were taken as a result of any review," stated Anthony Hogrebe, Hochul's Communications Director, amid these recent developments. The direct quote was obtained by Gothamist during their reporting.
After assuming office in 2021, Gov. Hochul vowed to reform the Executive Chamber that was once rattled by former Governor Andrew Cuomo's departure, which was also amid a sexual harassment scandal. Hochul overhauled the chamber's anti-harassment training program, making it compulsory for employees to attend in person, set up a dedicated human resources department, and collaborated with the firm of Calcagni Kanefsky to probe into matters of workplace transgressions.
