Governor Kathy Hochul claims “the system worked” after her press secretary resigns amid sexual harassment and toxic workplace allegations—yet the lack of real transparency and the recycled playbook from Albany’s elite beg the question: has anything really changed in New York’s government, or is this just déjà vu with a new coat of paint?
At a Glance
- Governor Hochul’s press secretary, Avi Small, resigned after sexual harassment and workplace abuse allegations came to light.
- Hochul insists her administration handled the case properly, pointing to new reforms and outside investigations.
- The investigation’s findings remain undisclosed, fueling skepticism about true accountability in Albany.
- Hochul’s promises of a “new culture” in state government are being put to the test as critics question their effectiveness.
Governor’s Office Under Fire as Scandal Erupts—Again
Another day, another Albany “reform” story that smells like reheated leftovers. This time, Governor Kathy Hochul’s hand-picked press secretary, Avi Small, has resigned after facing serious workplace abuse allegations—including berating staff and reportedly locking a junior aide in a closet—capped off with an alleged inappropriate touching incident at a local bar. If you’ve got déjà vu, you’re not alone; it was only a few years ago that former Governor Andrew Cuomo was run out of town on similar charges, with Hochul promising to “turn the page” on Albany’s legendary culture of harassment and intimidation.
Small’s resignation lands just as the investigation by the WilmerHale law firm was wrapping up, raising more questions than answers. Hochul has repeatedly patted herself on the back for a supposedly “zero tolerance” approach—one that includes new HR departments and outside legal counsel for complaints. But oddly enough, the details of what happened, how it was handled, and what the investigation found remain conveniently locked away from public view. That’s not “zero tolerance”; that’s zero transparency. The question: is this reform, or just more of the same old Albany playbook?
Hochul Defends Her Record—But Are We Supposed to Cheer for Albany’s “System”?
Governor Hochul has gone on the record to declare, “the system worked.” She touts legislative changes, outside investigators, and a new HR team as proof that Albany is finally safe for honest staffers and whistleblowers. But when pressed for specifics—what did the investigation find, why did it take so long, and why did Small keep his job after earlier complaints?—Hochul cites “privacy” and process. The public gets a steady stream of talking points, but not the facts. In this climate, where government trust is already circling the drain, how does keeping the truth under wraps restore confidence in Albany’s leadership?
The WilmerHale investigation, which Hochul claims is “substantively complete,” has not been made public. Instead, we’re told to take her word for it that the process worked—never mind that Small was only placed on leave after the June 16 incident at McGeary’s bar, and resigned before the findings were released. Is this what passes for accountability in 2025? Or is it just another example of the powerful protecting their own until the optics become too toxic to ignore?
Promises of Change or Business as Usual?
This isn’t just about one staffer or one incident. It’s about a pattern—a culture where insiders are shielded and the rest of us are expected to swallow empty promises about “new norms.” Hochul’s office claims the reforms are real, that outside counsel and new HR policies mark a break from Cuomo’s “dark days.” But here’s the irony: the more things change, the more they stay the same. The Cuomo playbook—delay, investigate behind closed doors, and announce a resignation without full disclosure—seems alive and well.
What about the staffers who endured Small’s alleged abuse earlier this year? What about the junior aide locked in a closet? What about the chilling effect on future whistleblowers who see powerful aides shielded until the headlines become unavoidable? And what about the taxpayers—who are left footing the bill for endless investigations and reforms that never seem to actually change anything? Hochul’s “system” might have worked for saving face, but it sure isn’t working for true accountability.
Power Games and the Politics of Reputation—Who Really Wins?
The real winners in this latest Albany dust-up are the spin doctors and legal teams who know how to manage a scandal. Hochul maintains her narrative as the reformer-in-chief, pointing to legislative tweaks as if they were a magic cure. But for those of us who’ve seen this movie before, it’s painfully clear: leadership means more than slogans and process. It means real transparency, real consequences, and real change. The people of New York deserve better than another round of “trust us, the system works”—especially when that “system” keeps failing the people it’s supposed to protect.
Until the full findings are released, accountability is more myth than reality. And for those who worry about the erosion of standards, the dilution of family values, and the endless stream of taxpayer-funded cover-ups, this latest episode is one more reason to demand real reform—not just in Albany, but in every corner of government where power is protected at the public’s expense.
