A top aide to New York Governor Kathy Hochul has reportedly taken a leave of absence due to allegations of sexual harassment. Previous complaints against him led to a formal investigation. According to reports, Hochul’s spokesperson, Avi Small, was accused of inappropriate behavior towards junior staff members. Sources who spoke to Politico—anonymously, due to the sensitive nature of the issue—indicated that both the governor’s human resources department and outside law firms were involved in the inquiry.
It’s been noted that Small has a reputation for being quite aggressive with younger staff, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere. Four out of five sources indicated they had witnessed instances where he publicly pointed out errors made by staff, particularly regarding press releases.
The investigation into Small’s conduct did not find any violations of personnel policies, as noted by another source familiar with the findings. This same individual suggested that Hochul may have unintentionally set up a system that could damage reputations, possibly without sufficient cause.
Law firms, specifically Calcagni & Kanefsky, reportedly conducted interviews with staff concerning Small’s behavior. Staff members expressed their concerns upon discovering that a more junior associate might be assigned to work closely with him.
After a 2024 survey, several employees approached HR for clarity regarding the survey results. They felt discouraged from discussing the allegations surrounding Small. Furthermore, multiple sources claimed that Small had cornered employees in a storage area and posed inappropriate questions.
Recently, Small was placed on leave after accusations surfaced that he inappropriately touched staff during an office retreat in Albany on June 16. Following these complaints, it was reported that there were some lawsuits filed shortly thereafter.
When Hochul assumed office after Andrew Cuomo’s departure amid his own harassment allegations in 2021, she pledged against labeling her administration a “toxic work environment.” In late 2021, she announced a new initiative focused on combatting workplace bullying and discrimination.
Hochul’s office did not comment on the situation when contacted, nor was it possible to reach Small for a statement.
