It’s rare for us to cover the same relatively small state agency in consecutive weeks, but the state Gaming Commission is proving to be an exception, and not in a positive way. Just a week after finding out that complaints against the commission will now be handled by the independent state Inspector General’s office instead of internally, we are now learning that the agency itself is a “toxic” workplace.
Former and current staff members have described incidents in the workplace that resemble scenes from an anti-harassment training video on what not to do. It appears that the Gaming Commission has a history of brushing aside complaints or simply moving people around during the time when it had an in-house inspector general.
However, based on the response from spokesperson Brad Maione to the allegations uncovered by journalist Emilie Munson from the Times Union, it seems that the agency still lacks proper training in fostering a positive work environment. Maione stated, “The commission cannot help if unnamed individuals are unsatisfied with the outcome of such investigations or actions.”
To make matters worse, New York Gaming Commission Chairman Brian O’Dwyer sent an email to employees after the article was published, dismissing the complaints as an attempt to tarnish the agency’s reputation. This kind of dismissive response should not be tolerated. Governor Kathy Hochul must demand that the Gaming Commission clean up its act, starting from the top. Employees have the right to work in environments free from sexual harassment, racial discrimination, bullying, and political favoritism—the very issues raised in Munson’s investigation.
For those who struggle to understand why it’s difficult for people to come forward with harassment complaints, one need only look at the ongoing events surrounding the lawsuits against former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo is taking a “scorched-earth” approach by issuing subpoenas to anyone who could potentially provide context for his defense in a federal lawsuit filed by a State Police investigator accusing him of sexual harassment.
Cuomo’s defenders are seeking communications, including text messages, between former state Senator Alessandra Biaggi and four women who have accused Cuomo of misconduct. They also want Biaggi’s testimony and communications related to the 2021 state attorney general’s investigation into Cuomo’s conduct, as well as any records regarding Biaggi’s own allegations about the governor’s office culture. One of these women is Charlotte Bennett, who has also filed a federal sexual harassment lawsuit against Cuomo.
Yet, Cuomo’s spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, released a statement from 2021 in response to Biaggi’s comments about the work environment in the Executive Chamber. Azzopardi said two years ago, “Alessandra Biaggi has consistently misrepresented her role during her brief time in the governor’s office. The governor did not interact with her when she worked there—furthermore, the majority of senior staff members had no idea who she was or that she even worked in the office until she left and ran for office.”
So, why are Biaggi’s communications relevant to the current case? This raises questions about Cuomo’s tactics and motivations in his defense strategy.
In conclusion, it is evident that both the Gaming Commission and Cuomo’s behavior are concerning. It is crucial for Governor Hochul to take action and ensure that these issues are addressed effectively to create safe and respectful work environments.
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