New York Attorney General Letitia James and her ex-chief of staff were sued by a former staffer over allegations of sexual assault.
James’s former chief of staff, Ibrahim Khan, was accused of grabbing and forcibly kissing staffer Sofia Quintanar repeatedly at a November 2021 fundraiser. Afterward, Quintanar alleges that James’s office attempted to cover it up, then permitted Khan to resign quietly, the lawsuit alleges, according to the New York Post. James denies the accusations, saying her office acted quickly when the assault was brought to its attention.
“We took the allegations brought to our office seriously and engaged in decisive, prompt, and appropriate action,” a spokesman for James’s office said.
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The assault happened at a fundraiser when Khan got Quintanar alone outside after claiming the venue was too loud. Once alone, Khan “rested the weight of his hand on Quintanar’s shoulder, and shoved his face forward aggressively to kiss her, without saying a word,” the suit claims.
“He then stuck his tongue down her throat, still holding her shoulder,” to the shock of the staffer. Quintanar then pushed Khan away and asked him what he was doing, saying, “Aren’t you married?” and “Don’t you have kids?” according to the lawsuit.
She stepped back inside after he tried to kiss her again, only for him to follow her around the whole night until she left the event. She says she was afraid to come forward earlier due to Khan’s high position in New York Democratic politics.
James is being sued for negligent hiring and supervising after she kept Khan in her employment after learning he had assaulted at least one other staffer, the suit claims.
“While I fear the effect that this might have on my career, I know that fear should never stand in the way of doing what is right,” a statement from Quintanar reads. “I hope I can give other survivors the courage to find their voice and hold those in positions of power responsible for their actions when they demonstrate the belief that they are above the law.”
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James was sued earlier this year by former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who claimed she defamed him in statements around her investigation into his own sexual assault allegations.
