DiNapoli: Ethics commission has asked for records in sexual harassment probe

PHOTOGRAPHER: The Associated Press

New York state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has confirmed the state’s ethics commission has asked him to retain certain records involving a sexual harassment scandal in the Assembly.

That appears to show the Joint Commission on Public Ethics is investigating the $103,000 secret settlement using public money to end sexual harassment accusations against Democratic Assemblyman Vito Lopez.

The June settlement was approved by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. Lawyers from the comptroller’s office and Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s office discussed through e-mails drafts of the settlement with the Assembly’s lawyer.

DiNapoli’s office followed routine procedure in paying out a voucher from the Assembly for legal services.

The commission has refused to confirm or deny it’s investigating the matter. Its board met for two hours behind closed doors on Tuesday.