BUFFALO, N.Y. — We sought an update Wednesday from the State Assembly Speaker and a local state lawmaker over the issue of ethics and sexual harassment allegations.
2 On Your Side was able to speak directly with both Speaker Carl Heastie and State Assemblymember Pat Burke about where things stand with Burke's situation, which dates back to 2023.
On his statewide summer tour, Heastie spent time Wednesday afternoon in Cazenovia Park with fellow Democratic incumbent Pat Burke to happily announce a half-million dollar grant for Olmsted Parks Conservancy as Burke faces re-election.
But the 142nd District lawmaker also faced sexual harassment and improper behavior claims from a former legislative staffer, who he says was dismissed over policy disagreements. Her concerns were sent in 2023 to the secretive State Assembly Ethics Committee.
Speaker Heastie said, "There was a bipartisan Ethics Committee made up of an equal number of Democrats and Republicans, and there was no finding."
Like most Albany ethics panels, the State Division of Human Rights has issued the standard "will not confirm or deny" comment on where things stand. But a Spectrum News report in June stated Assembly attorneys sought to block a hearing after reportedly a Human Rights Division investigation found "probable cause" in the case.
Again, from Speaker Heastie: "Once the Ethics Committee had no finding, what other agencies decide to do, that's on them."
Reporter: Don't you think the taxpayers and constituents of the state of New York have a right to know exactly what was heard and was stated in regards to the Assembly member?
Heastie: That's the policy.
Reporter: But is that policy fair, sir?
Heastie: I believe it's fair because if there's no finding, that's what it is. If there's a finding, it would be made, it would given to the public."
There was also a lawsuit filed against Burke by some of his former legislative staffers based on claims, which he denies.
And while no else from Albany provided details, Burke himself spoke with Channel 2.
"It's been a completely open process," he said. "I was cleared by a bipartisan investigation. I turned over my phone, I turned over all records. It's very obvious what happened, and I think there is a certain intent from media figures such as yourself to create a story that doesn't exist."
But again, without any details, we are told by Speaker Heastie there were "no findings" from the State Assembly Ethics Committee. We are also told members of the Assembly who sit on that legislative panel, who all make a taxpayer-funded salary of $142,000, do not speak to the press about anything which occurs before that panel.
So as far as other remaining investigations, Burke confidently responded, "Whatever it is going on in the Division of Human Rights, that is their problem and their issue. I'm happy. I would love to have a hearing. I was cleared once, I'll be cleared twice. I'll be cleared three times. I don't care."
So far there has been no response from the attorney who filed the lawsuit, but we are told he is still in touch with his clients who worked for Assemblymember Burke.