CHARLOTTE, N.C. — So long, Vito!
New York Democratic leaders gave scandal-scarred Brooklyn Assembyman Vito Lopez the heave-ho today during their first breakfast session to open their party convention.
The New York delegates either said Lopez should abdicate his Assembly seat or give a vote of no confidence following the disclosure of multiple accusations that he sexually harassed female staffers.
“It does not look good,” said United Federation of Teachers president Mike Mulgrew, a party delegate. “This is not a vote of confidence.”
Lopez has already resigned as the Brooklyn Democratic Party chairman, but is contesting the harassment claims to save his Assembly seat.
“There is no room for this type of behavior in the Democratic Party,” said delegate Stuart Appelbaum, head of the Retail Workers and Department Store union.
Syracuse Mayor Stepanie Miner, co-chair of the state party, said, “If the allegations are true, he should step down he has not said the allegations are false.”
But the same delegates defended Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who approved a settlement for two harassment claims filed against Lopez.
Silver will play a major role in the convention on behalf of the state delegation.