Assembly Member Repping UWS Must Complete Anti-Harassment Retraining

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY - A longtime New York State Assembly member representing the Upper West Side, Morningside Heights and Manhattan Valley must undergo harassment and discrimination retraining following a completed misconduct investigation.

District 69 New York State Assembly member Daniel O’Donnell has 60 days, or by Nov. 12, to complete the retaining as recommended by the state’s bipartisan Assembly Ethics and Guidance Committee, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie wrote in a letter to O’Donnell Wednesday.

The news comes following an investigation into allegations that O’Donnell made statements in violation of the Assembly’s Policy Prohibiting Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation. In May, O’Donnell reportedly told a Catalina Cruz, a District 39 Assembly member, to “grow a pair, honey” at an Assembly Codes Committee meeting, the Columbia Spectator first reported.

“Based on the report and testimony, and given Member O’Donnell’s admirable career, lack of prior violations, and demonstrated contrition, a majority of the Committee recommends that: Member O’Donnell be ordered to undergo retraining on the Policy Prohibiting Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation and what conduct constitutes a violation thereof,” Heastie wrote.

The “crude” remarks O’Donnell made were out of character and exhibited at a time when he was under “extraordinary stress,” wrote Jo Ann Simon, chair of the committee of ethics and guidance. “He answered the Committee’s questions and appeared candid, sincere, and remorseful in his testimony.”

A spokesperson for the Assembly member said that O'Donnell is "committed to maintaining better decorum during future engagements."