Community members call for independent investigation of Sen. Jeff Klein

<p>Several community activists in the Bronx called for a full independent investigation Friday into allegations of sexual misconduct against Sen. Jeff Klein.&nbsp;</p>

News 12 Staff

Jan 13, 2018, 2:34 AM

Updated 2,292 days ago

Share:

Several community activists in the Bronx called for a full independent investigation Friday into allegations of sexual misconduct against Sen. Jeff Klein.
Earlier this week, a former staffer named Erica Vladimer accused the senator of forcibly kissing her outside an Albany bar in the early spring of 2015. At the time, she was working for the Independent Democratic Conference, which the 57-year-old Klein leads.
While the senator has denied the allegations and has since hired a firm to conduct a preliminary investigation and interview staffers who were present at the time, those who spoke against him Friday argued that any woman who comes forward with allegations of sexual misconduct deserves to be heard and taken seriously.
The group of grass-roots activists and community members called for the governor to step in.
Meanwhile, more than a dozen female leaders who live in the community and have worked with the senator have sent letters of support.
Alessandra Biaggi, a former aide in Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office, announced Thursday that she will enter the fall primary for Klein's seat, tweeting, "His #timesup. I'm running against him."
Sen. Klein tells News 12 that he will welcome any investigation into the alleged incident.
AP wires contributed to this report.


More from News 12
1:48
Police release photos of vehicle involved in 2022 fatal drive-by shooting in Ronkonkoma in hope of leads

Police release photos of vehicle involved in 2022 fatal drive-by shooting in Ronkonkoma in hope of leads

1:54
Chance for showers Wednesday; cooldown for the end of the workweek

Chance for showers Wednesday; cooldown for the end of the workweek

0:23
Police: 5 teens caught on camera trespassing into Patchogue building

Police: 5 teens caught on camera trespassing into Patchogue building

0:34
DA: Syosset man pleads guilty in DWI crash that killed married couple in Laurel Hollow

DA: Syosset man pleads guilty in DWI crash that killed married couple in Laurel Hollow

1:57
3 families displaced by fast-moving fire at North Amityville home

3 families displaced by fast-moving fire at North Amityville home

2:53
Sachem schools consider staffing and program cuts, piercing tax cap as budget vote looms

Sachem schools consider staffing and program cuts, piercing tax cap as budget vote looms

0:29
Jericho named Long Island's top rated high school by U.S. News and World Report

Jericho named Long Island's top rated high school by U.S. News and World Report

0:51
NCC working with food truck vendors to provide food for rest of semester

NCC working with food truck vendors to provide food for rest of semester

0:26
USDA warns of ground beef that may be contaminated with E.coli

USDA warns of ground beef that may be contaminated with E.coli

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

1:42
Made on Long Island: Nicolock Paving Stones in Lindenhurst

Made on Long Island: Nicolock Paving Stones in Lindenhurst

0:48
9 steps to take if your ‘fur-ever’ friend goes missing

9 steps to take if your ‘fur-ever’ friend goes missing

0:51
State police: Trooper struck in the face by combative driver during Southern State Parkway traffic stop

State police: Trooper struck in the face by combative driver during Southern State Parkway traffic stop

1:54
Ronkonkoma woman pleads not guilty to 49 counts of animal cruelty

Ronkonkoma woman pleads not guilty to 49 counts of animal cruelty

1:33
Hampton Bays woman retrieves phone, wallet she accidently dumped into recycling bin nearly 3 weeks ago

Hampton Bays woman retrieves phone, wallet she accidently dumped into recycling bin nearly 3 weeks ago

1:55
Long Islanders taught about dangers of toxic pollutants in drinking water

Long Islanders taught about dangers of toxic pollutants in drinking water

0:32
Spartans chosen as new mascot for Brentwood school district

Spartans chosen as new mascot for Brentwood school district

0:19
Police: 2 people hospitalized following Lawrence crash

Police: 2 people hospitalized following Lawrence crash

2:12
Amityville schools to receive $2 million from new state budget to help reduce budget deficit, save jobs

Amityville schools to receive $2 million from new state budget to help reduce budget deficit, save jobs

0:17
Man wanted for stealing $1,000 in merchandise from Centereach store

Man wanted for stealing $1,000 in merchandise from Centereach store