New York Attorney General Letitia James said December 7 that allegations of sexual harassment against her former chief of staff had been substantiated.
Democrats’ chief of staff Ibrahim Khan resigned from his position earlier this month following an investigation into at least two sexual harassment allegations against him.
James’ longtime political adviser has been accused of being inappropriately touched and unwanted kissed by at least one woman, according to the New York Times.
Two days later, James hired a law firm to investigate the claims, according to her office.
“First and foremost, I thank the women who have come forward and I want to reassure them that they have been heard and that I believe them,” the AG said in a statement on Wednesday.
“My office has handled this matter as aggressively as any other matter that has come before our office. Within 24 hours, our office took disciplinary action and imposed restrictions on Ibrahim Khan, and within 72 hours we engaged an outside law firm to begin an impartial and comprehensive review of the allegations,” James said.
Khan graduated from the University at Albany, New York, and began working as a spokeswoman for James’ successful New York City Public Advocate campaign, according to University at Albany Magazine, before taking on the role of her chief of staff in 2019.
Prior to working with James, Khan also worked as Legislative Director for Rep. Phil Ramos and on Hillary Clinton’s 2007 presidential campaign.
Republicans call for James investigation
Khan told the New York Times in a statement Dec. 2 that he plans to step down as chief of staff on Dec. 31, when James’ first term ends.
However, James confirmed on Wednesday 7th December that Khan has now stepped down from his role.
“Mr. Khan resigned while the proceedings were still ongoing. When the proceedings were completed, my office spoke to each individual and informed them that the allegations were substantiated. I am confident in the steps that have been taken to clear the allegations to review quickly and into the integrity of the investigation,” James said.
James, who oversaw a 2021 sexual harassment investigation into then-New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, was reelected last month to serve another four years as New York Attorney General.
Republican lawmakers in New York have called for an investigation into James after reports surfaced that she may have allegedly been aware of the sexual harassment complaints against Khan but chose not to go public with them until she was re-elected.
“The State Assembly Judiciary Committee must immediately call a formal investigation into what Attorney General James knew, when she knew, and why that information was withheld,” Republican Assemblyman Colin Schmitt wrote on Twitter Dec. 6
GOP State Sen. Tom O’Mara also tweeted, “There needs to be an immediate, independent investigation into what she knew about these allegations, when she knew and whether they were properly addressed.”
James told the New York Post on Wednesday that she was “protecting the rights” of the alleged victims by not going public with the investigation, and insisted the decision was “in no way” related to her bid for one second term related.
“We are protecting the rights of individuals and it is important to understand that this was a private investigation, separate and independent from the investigation we conducted into the former governor – which was a regulatory investigation and a legitimate referral investigation.” was.” said James.
The Epoch Times has reached out to James’ office for comment.
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Katabella Roberts is a news writer for The Epoch Times, focusing primarily on US, world and business news.
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