A lawmaker from upstate New York has acknowledged a past error in dismissing a sexual assault survivor’s claims against an aide to a prominent state Democrat, according to a sworn affidavit.
U.S. Rep. Joseph Morrell from Rochester admitted in his statement that he was wrong to disregard Elizabeth Crothers’ allegations of rape against Michael Boxley, a convicted offender who worked for former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
Morrell noted that when Crothers came forward, he was not familiar with her at all. “I don’t believe I had ever met or spoken to her,” he said in a legal document tied to a negligence lawsuit that Crothers filed against Congress and New York state regarding the treatment of her accusations.
At the time of the allegations, Morrell had been on friendly terms with Boxley, who served as Silver’s counsel. In a conversation with Boxley back in 2001, he claimed that Boxley denied the accusations. “After I spoke with Mr. Boxley, a reporter asked me my thoughts on the allegations against him. I simply replied, ‘I don’t believe it,'” he recounted.
While a parliamentary investigation initially cleared Boxley, he was later charged with raping another staff member, Ricky Shaw. Boxley pleaded guilty in 2003 to a lesser charge of sexual misconduct related to that case.
Morrell later publicly apologized to Crothers in 2018, recognizing that his earlier comments were insensible and ill-informed, “My statement in 2001 was intended to support Michael Boxley,” he explained.
Furthermore, Morrell acknowledged that he had heard various “rumors” that discredited Crothers, the alleged victim. He stated, “On December 22, 2003, Michael Boxley admitted in court that he had sex with a deputy without her consent.”
Before his congressional tenure, Morrell was the Democratic Congressional Majority Leader from 2013 to 2018, during the tenures of both Speaker Silver and Speaker Carl Heastie.
He expressed that he has grown more supportive of women making allegations of sexual abuse against powerful figures over the years.
Boxley continues to deny any wrongdoing and invoked his Fifth Amendment rights numerous times during his own deposition in the Crothers case.
Former City Comptroller and Congressman Scott Stringer also submitted a sworn statement regarding Crothers, indicating that she confided in him the night she claims Boxley assaulted her.
Stringer recounted Crothers’ distress and detailed her account of being taken to Boxley’s apartment. She mentioned Boxley not using a condom and expressed her fears about potential consequences from the incident.
“Elizabeth was really upset and uncertain about her next steps,” Stringer noted, indicating they had discussed various options, including medical help and reporting to authorities.
Crothers recently filed a civil lawsuit against Congress and New York state under the Adult Survivors Act, alleging a hostile work environment and negligence following her assault.
Shaw, previously identified as “Jane Doe,” did not initially come forward but now supports Crothers, stating that Albany continues to protect powerful individuals instead of holding them accountable.
Crothers’ legal team criticized Attorney General Letitia James for her defense of the Legislature in this case, expressing disappointment at the lack of progress regarding accountability. “We had hoped for a more supportive response from the legislature,” said attorney Carrie Goldberg. She suggested that the lack of action raises questions about any real change in the political landscape in New York.
The attorney general’s office is defending the entities involved in the Crothers case, with the trial set for August 24th.
