Congressman Elliot Engel, New York Democrat, has called on embattled New York State Assemblyman Vito Lopez, a Democrat, to resign. Mr. Lopez is accused of sexual harassment of women and a state panel is investigating if Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, A Democrat, covered up the allegations. According to the NY Post:
Subpoenas are flying in the expanded ethics probe into Brooklyn Assemblyman Vito Lopez’s alleged sexual harassment of women, as a state panel investigates the roles played by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and the offices of Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
Gov. Cuomo, meanwhile, wondered whether Silver will survive the scandal.
A source with ties to Cuomo said the governor is concerned that Silver may not keep his post.
Aides to the governor have gone as far to say that “Shelly is going down” or, at best, is “damaged goods.”
I spoke with Rep. Elliot Engel who said, “I think that all the fact are not yet known. I think Shelly Silver is the finest speaker that I have ever had the pleasure in which to serve,” he said. “I certainly don’t think he should resign, but I do think that the allegations against Mr. Lopez are very serious, and I think he should resign.”
The NY Post is reporting that “following a probe by the Assembly’s Ethics Committee, Silver blasted Lopez for allegedly groping two other women, not involved in the settlements.”
New York Assembly Speaker Silver is now demanding that Mr.Lopez, who recently quit his post as Brooklyn Democratic Party chairman, also resign his Assembly seat.
