TIMES, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2015 • 16 PAYING UP FOR DIRTY DEEDS State, Lopez Settle Staffers’ Sexual Harassment Lawsuit The state agreed to pay $545,000 to Victoria Burhans and Chloë Rivera, two former Lopez staffers who accused the long-time representative of Bushwick, East Williamsburg and Williamsburg of inappropriate behavior. As part of the deal, Lopez also agreed to pay them $35,000 out of his own pocket. According to attorney Kevin Mintzer, who represented Burhans and Rivera, the deal came through weeks of negotiations that U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael H. Dollinger supervised. This marks the state’s second settlement of a sexual harassment lawsuit involving Lopez; in 2012, the state paid $103,000 to two former Lopez aides who made similar allegations of inappropriate conduct. But the latest settlement terms did not include any admission of wrongdoing or liability on either Lopez or the state. Documents indicated the settlement was “solely for the purpose of avoiding” burdens associated with continued litigation. “After more than two years of investigation and litigation, we are pleased to have finally reached a resolution,” Burhans and Rivera said in a statement that Mintzer released. “We hope our ordeal will serve as a strong reminder to New York’s legislators that they are accountable for their behavior. All women should be treated with respect and dignity, not as sex objects or as problems to be handled and silenced.” The settlement is subject to the final approval of Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman. Lopez spent nearly three decades in the Assembly and funneled millions of dollars in state funds to his district for affordable housing and other projects associated with the Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council, which he founded in 1973. He would additionally rise to chair the Kings County Democratic Party. Reports surfaced in 2012 that Lopez repeatedly made inappropriate comments to female staff members about their appearance. In a number of instances, according to a state ethics committee report, Lopez allegedly tried to kiss one woman who struggled to avoid his Former Assemblyman Vito Lopez (at right) is pictured with then-Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver in this 2012 photo. advances and placed his hands on the legs of another woman. When the staffers resisted, it was reported, Lopez verbally threatened to demote or terminate them from their positions. The allegations spurred Lopez’s fall from power. Then-Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver censured Lopez in August 2012 based on the committee’s findings, then stripped him of his seniority status and committee memberships. Lopez additionally agreed not to seek re-election as Brooklyn Democratic Party boss. Despite the scandal, Lopez sought the 34th City Council District seat and resigned from the Assembly in May 2013 to concentrate on the campaign. He would ultimately lose in a landslide to current City Council Member Antonio Reynoso. by Robert Pozarycki New York State recently settled a sexual harassment lawsuit centered around former Brooklyn Assemblyman Vito Lopez. A Little Night Music In Middle Village Fine drink and music were enjoyed by one and all during the Queens Symphony Orchestra’s wine and cheese social last Tuesday night, Feb. 3, at the U.S. Columbarium in Middle Village. Scores turned out for an evening of entertainment that featured classical performances by soprano Veronica Iovan and songs from the students at P.S. 163 in Flushing. During the ceremony, QSO General Manager Daniel DeLoma and Board President Tania Broschart presented the columbarium’s J.P. DiTroia with a plaque recognizing his years of service to the community. DeLoma, DiTroia and Broschart are pictured with the P.S. 163 choir. (photo: Marcin Zurawicz) ©Times Newsweekly - 2014 - MYSALON
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