Ahead of close election, Brooklyn Dems chair turns on Democratic City Council member
Democratic Council Member Justin Brannan is now waging a war on two fronts – against Republican colleague Ari Kagan, who’s hoping to unseat him in next week’s general election, and against Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the head of the Brooklyn Democratic Party.
On Tuesday, Bichotte released a blistering statement in response to a New York Post story rehashing years-old harassment allegations against Brannan. “We have received a barrage of concerns and disturbing allegations against Councilman Justin Brannan for harassing and tormenting an ex-staff member with autism, who was under Brannan's supervision at the time. The chilling accusations, which include locking this staffer in a basement and leaving decapitated teddy bears on his desk, were settled out of court for $850,000. Some have asked for Justin Brannan's resignation, which I have not taken a position on, as we wait for all the facts to come to light about these disturbing incidents.”
Brannan campaign spokesperson Ian Brown fired back with a statement accusing Bichotte Hermelyn of slander.
“Justin's desperate political opponents – that now include Rodneyse – have been lodging these false accusations in every campaign for the past 6 years. Justin was not named in this lawsuit and was never subpoenaed. Rodneyse should be careful she doesn't end up getting sued for libel and slander,” Brown wrote in an email to City & State.
https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2023/10/ahead-close-election-brooklyn-dems-chair-turns-democratic-city-council-member/391669/