Emails reveal more discussion involving Assembly sex case

PHOTOGRAPHER: The Associated Press

Emails obtained by The Associated Press show more discussion than previously reported between the state attorney general’s office and the comptroller’s office as the Assembly majority’s counsel sought to quietly settle a $103,000 sexual harassment claim against a Democratic assemblyman.

The emails were obtained under the state Freedom of Information Law. The state comptroller’s office, which released the emails, also confirmed two of its staff attorneys who provided technical assistance in the settlement have been subpoenaed by the state’s Joint Commission on Public Ethics.

The two offices had said two lawyers were only slightly involved in the settlement of accusations against Vito Lopez of Brooklyn. The emails released today show more conversations over a longer period of time.

The comptroller and attorney general offices maintain they didn’t help negotiate nor did they approve the settlement paid in June.