The Human Rights Campaign announced the firing of its president, Alphonso David, on Monday following an independent investigation into his reported effort to assist former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo during his sexual harassment scandal.
The organization’s investigation began last month following the release of a report from New York Attorney General Letitia James’s office, which found the former governor sexually harassed 11 women and created a hostile work environment during his time in office. HRC found that David’s efforts to help Cuomo fend off challenges of sexual harassment were “in violation of HRC’s Conflict of Interest policy and the mission of HRC.”
“Following the completion of that investigation, the HRC and HRC Foundation Boards of Directors have voted to terminate Mr. David for cause, effective immediately, for violations of his contract with the Human Rights Campaign,” the group said in a statement Monday
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The investigation revealed that David engaged in a number of activities in December 2020 “to assist Governor Cuomo’s team in responding to allegations by Ms. [Lindsey] Boylan of sexual harassment.” The organization did not elaborate on which actions violated HRC’s policies.
A source familiar with HRC’s deliberations among its executive board said David did not inform organization leaders he was helping to advise Cuomo when the allegations were revealed, according to the New York Times.
Update from Alphonso David pic.twitter.com/PAtqcEwvBg
— Alphonso David (@AlphonsoDavid) September 7, 2021
David criticized his removal, tweeting that the board “unjustly provided notice of termination to me in order to end my fight for the integrity of the review process and for what is right.”
“As a Black, gay man who has spent his whole life fighting for civil and human rights, they cannot shut me up. Expect a legal challenge,” David added.
Joni Madison, HRC’s chief operating officer, will serve as interim president, effective immediately, while the boards search for a permanent replacement, the Monday statement said.
In December, Boylan, who previously served as a staffer in Cuomo’s administration, accused the governor of sexual harassment, after which several other accusers stepped forward, prompting James to open her investigation. The release of the attorney general’s report led to Cuomo stepping down and Kathy Hochul, then lieutenant governor, assuming the governorship late last month.
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Others said to have helped Cuomo have also endured professional setbacks. Tina Tchen resigned her position as CEO of Time’s Up Now and the Time’s Up Foundation following reports that she stonewalled a statement supporting Boylan, and Chris Cuomo, the former governor’s younger brother, has faced mounting calls to leave his CNN program for his role advising his brother.
The Washington Examiner contacted HRC but did not immediately receive a response.
