For Immediate Release Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Contact 518-429-8089

COMMISSO JR. WILL NOT SUPPORT SPEAKER SILVER

Albany, N.Y. - State Assembly candidate Frank Commisso Jr. today announced that he will not support Sheldon Silver for another term as Speaker. Commisso Jr.s statement comes in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal in which multiple women have alleged Brooklyn Assemblyman Vito Lopez sexually harassed them. Speaker Silver admitted to paying $103,000 in taxpayer money to the victims in order to curtail a potential lawsuit. As Democrats, we are proud to say that we support fair treatment for women in the workplace. In the case of Assemblyman Lopez, political expediency overruled simple fairness to female employees of the Legislature. We have seen repeated examples of inappropriate response to deeply troubling charges. I respect Speaker Silvers accomplishments, however in good conscience, I cannot support him. When the Assembly Majority caucuses to choose a leader for the 2013 session, I will not support Mr. Silvers reelection as Speaker, said Commisso Jr. In 2001 and 2003 separate complaints were made by two women alleging that Speaker Sheldon Silvers then-Chief Counsel, J. Michael Boxley, had sexually assaulted them. In 2004, one of the women commenced a civil suit against the Speaker and the Assembly alleging that the Assembly and Silver failed to exercise reasonable care to prevent Boxley from assaulting and sexually harassing employees. Mr. Boxley was arrested and pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct. Mr. Silver and the Assembly leadership authorized the payment of a $500,000 settlement to one of the victims. The settlement was based partly on the victims complaint that Speaker Silver tolerated a culture of sexual harassment in the Assembly. Shortly thereafter the Assembly adopted an amendment to the Rules of the Assembly (Powers and Duties of Speaker) directing the Speaker to promulgate a non-fraternization policy to protect interns from sexual harassment from Assembly Members and staff. This policy was intended to complement the Speakers sexual harassment policy. Mr. Silvers recent acknowledgment that he was again mistaken in the Vito Lopez sexual harassment incidents shows a disturbing disregard for the rights of female employees and the public trust. Mr. Silver not only failed to refer sexual harassment claims by multiple female employees to the Assembly Ethics Commission for a thorough investigation, he also included a confidential agreement in the settlement documents in order to conceal a taxpayer-funded settlement payment of $103,000 to two victims. This has been a stain on the State Legislature and Speaker Silvers direct involvement would cause any responsible Assembly member or candidate to question whether or not he should continue in his leadership role as Speaker, Commisso Jr. said. Contrary to the spirit of the Assemblys own policies, Speaker Silvers regrettable actions clearly indicate a lack of sensitivity to the victimization of a number of women employed by the Assembly. That is why in 2013 I will not support Sheldon Silver for another term as Assembly Speaker.

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Commisso for Assembly H P.O. Box 10638 H Albany, New York 12201 518-729-5205 H www.commissoforassembly.com H info@commissoforassembly.com