ALBANY - The leader of the state Senate's Independent Democratic Conference hastily called a call with reporters Wednesday to reveal he has been accused by a former staffer of forcibly kissing her in 2015, an accusation he denies.
Sen. Jeff Klein, D-Bronx, repeatedly denied that anything inappropriate happened the night of March 31, 2015, when Klein says the former IDC employee claims he forced himself on her and kissed her.
During the call Wednesday, Klein said he believes The Huffington Post website is planning on article on the alleged incident.
"I want to be crystal clear: This alleged incident never happened nor did anything inappropriate happen in any fashion that evening," Klein said on the call. "Period."
Klein and fellow Sen. Diane Savino, D-Staten Island, abruptly assembled reporters for the conference call Wednesday to deny the allegations before The Huffington Post posted its article.
Savino, Klein's partner, said she was with Klein in an Albany restaurant the night the alleged incident occurred.
"We are prepared to participate in any and all investigations to clear Senator Klein's name," Savino said.
Klein said he has hired an attorney who conducted an investigation of the night of the alleged incident, including interviewing staff members.
His district includes part of southern Westchester County.
