Erica Vladimer Issues Statement Amidst Calls For Resignation of Jeffrey D. Klein

NEW YORK, Jan. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Erica Vladimer, a former staff member of New York state senator Jeffrey D. Klein, has, through her attorney Jim Walden, of Walden Macht & Haran LLP, issued the following statement: 

"Last week, I ended my silence regarding Senator Klein's misconduct of April 1, 2015, when he abused his position and forced himself on me during my tenure as a junior policy analyst in his office.

Senator Klein's response to my statement employs all-too-familiar gaslighting methods and serves as another reminder of what compels victims of abuse to remain silent, particularly when abuse comes from men in positions of high authority.

It is disappointing, but not surprising, that Senator Klein hired his own lawyer to 'investigate,' but his lawyers have yet to interview me, despite hastily publicizing the results of their shallow inquiry. Senator Klein and his staff have also started an aggressive backchannel campaign, contacting my friends and associates, in an attempt to disparage me and manipulate public perception.

Despite an evolving landscape — where victims of workplace harassment are being encouraged to come forward about their experiences — the system continues to fail the vulnerable and protect predators. I hope the Senate will investigate thoroughly and hold Senator Klein to account. I understand Senator Klein, too, has called for an 'independent investigation' by the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE). I would gladly cooperate, because I am telling the truth. I hope this is the next important step to introducing legislation to protect people against misconduct both in government and beyond.

For all the women standing in the shadows, wrestling with the same sad choices to keep quiet or speak up, I empathize with you. I lived with the shame of it for too long. That shame ends now. I hope JCOPE and the State Senate work together to help me secure justice and closure.

I have no intention of suing Senator Klein for his actions, although he richly deserves it. But, given his aggressive actions thus far, I too have hired counsel to protect my rights as I speak out — and to make sure, if and when there is an investigation, it will not be a white wash, like the one hastily conducted by Senator Klein and backed immediately by his colleagues in the IDC. I, too, served the IDC, yet it shamefully adopted his narrative without investigation or reflection."

SOURCE Walden Macht & Haran LLP

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