KINGSTON – An investigation by an Albany law firm has found that Ulster County Legislator Democratic Hector Rodriguez of New Paltz “exploited his position as a legislator to gain access to multiple women in an effort to proposition and ‘hit on them’,” according to the findings of a report from attorney Earl Redding to County Personnel Officer Sheree Cross.
Redding wrote that several women stated that Rodriguez was in contact with them because of his position and believed they had to continue working with him because of his position.
The attorney also wrote that “two of the women directly confronted Mr. Rodriguez regarding his behaviors and comments and one woman stated Mr. Rodriguez ‘forcibly kissed her’.”
Redding also said Rodriguez was “directly warned about his behavior” when he worked at the Golden Hill Nursing and Rehab Center on May 9, 2014. He was accused at that time of “unwanted physical touching that made (the victim) uncomfortable.”
Redding recommended that all employees, including legislators, be trained in the county’s sexual harassment prevent policy and discriminatory harassment prevention policy and complaint procedure.
By no later than October 9, everyone who holds a job in New York State must take a mandatory sexual harassment course and receive certification of its completion.
The complaints from the women were made to Kathleen Tobin, a member of the New Paltz Village Board. She conveyed the concerns to the county personnel office.
Attorney Redding said through investigation, among the comments allegedly made by Rodriguez to some of the women, made in person, on the phone and/or in writing, were:
- I thought you loved me
- How come you never call me?
- How come you don’t love me anymore?
- I loved you
- You look amazing
- If I didn’t know better, I’d kiss you
- I wish we could hang out
- You’re so beautiful
- Who else will I flirt with?
- I won’t say the first thing that came to mind when I saw your pic today
In one instance, a woman said Rodriguez “forcibly kissed her.”
Rodriguez did not respond to a request for comment.
