As Lopez resigns, NY Assembly Dems plan reforms
New York Assemblyman Vito Lopez’s resignation Monday over sexual harassment claims against him derailed a public review that could have examined the role of powerful Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver in the scandal and his continued leadership.
Silver had crafted a $103,000 secret settlement to end the first set of allegations of sexual harassment against Lopez. The deal became public last year, and two investigations into Lopez criticized Silver’s actions.
Last week, Silver tried to force the Assembly to consider expelling Lopez, a veteran Brooklyn Democrat, by conducting a review of the investigations. He announced the expulsion effort Thursday night, saying he would ask an Assembly committee to recommend sanctions against Lopez, including possibly expulsion. Silver offered a resolution Friday that recommended Lopez be removed from office.