NY Gov. Kathy Hochul’s press aide suspended over misconduct claims

Hold onto your hats, folks — another scandal is brewing in Albany, where New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s press secretary, Avi Small, has been sidelined over allegations of inappropriate behavior.

Small, a key figure in Hochul’s administration, was placed on administrative leave just hours after a complaint surfaced about an incident at an Albany bar on June 16, 2024, involving alleged improper touching of a staffer, with prior reports of workplace misconduct adding fuel to the fire, as Politico reports.

This isn’t Small’s first brush with controversy, as whispers of his abrasive style have echoed through the governor’s communications team for some time. Back in early 2024, an investigation was launched by Hochul’s human resources department and an outside law firm into his conduct. Reports of yelling at junior staffers and making them dread working with him paint a troubling picture.

Unpacking Small’s troubled tenure

Small, named press secretary in July 2023, was tasked with managing media coverage, crafting news releases, and coordinating the governor’s public appearances. Yet, beneath the polished press conferences, staffers endured a different reality — some witnessed him berating younger team members over minor errors in releases or event mishaps.

Even more eyebrow-raising are accounts from multiple sources who claim Small openly discussed personal matters, like his sex life, in the workplace. Managing a direct team of three, with eight others under him, his influence was wide-reaching, making such behavior all the more concerning for a professional environment.

By the fall of 2024, Small’s role shifted to involve closer work with subordinates, a change that reportedly unsettled several staffers. This increased oversight, following the elevation of deputy press secretaries’ duties, only amplified tensions within the office. Turns out, proximity can sometimes breed problems rather than solutions.

Investigations, silence stir staff frustrations

The investigation into Small’s actions wrapped up toward the end of 2024, but don’t expect a tell-all report anytime soon. Around 10 staffers met with human resources to press for details on the probe’s findings, only to be urged to keep quiet about the accusations. The results remain under lock and key, accessible only to HR and a select member of the governor’s counsel office to shield witnesses from potential backlash.

Interestingly, the probe didn’t find a formal violation, according to a source familiar with the outcome. Yet, that hardly quelled unease, especially with reports of Small cornering a subordinate in a supply closet to question them — an incident flagged to HR by multiple individuals.

Small remains on administrative leave as of the latest updates, leaving many to wonder how long this limbo will last. For an administration that prides itself on workplace reforms, this ongoing situation is a bit of a black eye. Actions, as they say, often speak louder than policy promises.

Hochul’s pledge meets harsh reality

Hochul took office in 2021 after Andrew Cuomo’s resignation amid a damning report of harassment against 11 women, vowing a fresh start. “At the end of my term, whenever it ends — no one will ever describe my administration as a toxic work environment,” Hochul declared on the day Cuomo stepped down. Well, that’s a tall order when your press secretary’s behavior keeps raising red flags.

The governor’s efforts to overhaul harassment policies in 2023, including anti-retaliation measures, and a later agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice for further reforms, showed to many a clear intent to clean house. She has introduced a hotline for anonymous complaints and mandated HR to pursue potential violations even if victims stay silent. But intent and impact aren’t always the same, are they?

Spokesperson Anthony Hogrebe reiterated the administration’s stance, stating, “While we cannot comment on specifics of any individual personnel matter, any complaints made to the Executive Chamber have been reviewed according to our stated policies and appropriate actions were taken.” That’s a safe line, but it doesn’t quite address the lingering distrust among staffers who feel left in the dark.

Political ripples, public perception challenges

The political fallout isn’t hard to spot, especially with Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik weighing in on X, calling the allegation against Small a “massive scandal for the Worst Governor in America.” Stefanik’s jab underscores how quickly these issues can become ammunition in a state already weary of Albany’s drama. For Hochul, who’s eyeing re-election in 2026 with less-than-stellar poll numbers, this is hardly the headline she needs.

Cuomo’s era was marked by a cutthroat culture that many described as bullying, setting a low bar that Hochul promised to leap over. Yet, with loyal aide Small– whose wedding Hochul attended in 2022 — now at the center of this storm, her administration faces scrutiny over whether those promises hold water.

At the end of the day, this saga isn’t just about one man’s missteps; it’s about whether New York’s highest office can truly break free from a legacy of toxicity. Staffers deserve a workplace free from fear, and taxpayers deserve leaders who practice what they preach. If Hochul wants to keep her word, she’ll need more than hotlines and policies — she’ll need results.