Murphy staffer says reports of sexual assault by another staffer were ignored

<p>A member of the Murphy administration has accused a fellow staffer of sexual assault and says that her attempts to report the crime have been ignored.</p>

News 12 Staff

Oct 15, 2018, 9:37 PM

Updated 2,030 days ago

Share:

A member of the Murphy administration has accused a fellow staffer of sexual assault and says that her attempts to report the crime have been ignored.
Staffer Katie Brennan had accused another staffer, Albert Alvarez, of sexually assaulting her after a campaign event on April 8, 2017.
Brennan says that Alvarez allegedly asked to come in to use the bathroom in her home and then allegedly attacked her.
Alvarez has denied the allegations. He resigned from Gov. Phil Murphy’s staff on Oct. 2.
“I wish we hadn’t made the hire in transition, period,” Murphy said Monday. “I’m sick to my stomach once I heard what happened.”
Brennan says that she was examined at the hospital and reported what happened to police. But she says nothing happened. She says that she also informed the transition team about the allegations. But Alvarez was hired to a top position within the Murphy administration.
Brennan told the Wall Street Journal that she emailed the governor and his wife on June 1, asking to speak with them about a "sensitive matter.” That meeting never happened. Murphy says that no one on his staff told him there was a sexual assault allegation.
Murphy also says that his staff was prevented from notifying him due to confidentiality rules.
“Cases come up all the time as it relates to employment issues. There’s a confidentiality that must be adhered to, particularly in this case when I knew both parties,” Murphy said.
An outside firm will conduct an investigation into the transition office’s hiring and vetting practices. That investigation will be due by the end of the year.
Brennan declined to be interviewed by News 12 New Jersey, but issued a statement.
"I decided to come forward because I know that Al Alvarez, and all perpetrators, must be held accountable, must never rape again, and the justice system needs a complete change with regard to sexual violence,” Brennan said in a statement.
The governor says that things also need to change.
“We’re not where we need to be, either as a country or certainly a state,” he said. “I can’t do anything about the country but we can do something about New Jersey.”
The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General announced that Brennan’s case will be transferred from Hudson to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office for investigation.
The governor says he will meet with Brennan about her case, along with his wife, who has previously spoken out about her own sexual assault.


More from News 12
1:48
Bushwick building owner cited for illegal work performed before fire destroyed supermarket, apartments

Bushwick building owner cited for illegal work performed before fire destroyed supermarket, apartments

1:44
STORM WATCH: Cool and cloudy with mild temperatures for NYC; tracking thunderstorms midweek

STORM WATCH: Cool and cloudy with mild temperatures for NYC; tracking thunderstorms midweek

1:26
Police: Cyclist struck by car overnight in Bushwick in critical condition

Police: Cyclist struck by car overnight in Bushwick in critical condition

1:24
Lawmakers crack down on theft against small retail, businesses owners in Brooklyn

Lawmakers crack down on theft against small retail, businesses owners in Brooklyn

0:24
Police: Man injured from overnight shooting in Brownsville

Police: Man injured from overnight shooting in Brownsville

New York City National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos

New York City National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos

1:15
NYPD: 23-year-old woman struck by B41 bus in Downtown Brooklyn

NYPD: 23-year-old woman struck by B41 bus in Downtown Brooklyn

1:35
4th annual People's Ball returns to the Brooklyn Public Library

4th annual People's Ball returns to the Brooklyn Public Library

1:43
Interested in transforming public pool sites in New York City? Here's how to submit your ideas

Interested in transforming public pool sites in New York City? Here's how to submit your ideas

2:09
Riverdale Restaurant Week kicks off for the season

Riverdale Restaurant Week kicks off for the season

0:32
NYPD: Man pistol-whipped taxi driver in Olinville, fired shots at vehicle; suspect sought

NYPD: Man pistol-whipped taxi driver in Olinville, fired shots at vehicle; suspect sought

0:30
Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

1:53
Ditmas Park residents fed up with only building elevator being out of service for a year

Ditmas Park residents fed up with only building elevator being out of service for a year

1:48
Mott Haven art exhibit celebrates Indian Arrival Day

Mott Haven art exhibit celebrates Indian Arrival Day

1:48
FDNY: Rooftop fire spreads into apartment in Crown Heights

FDNY: Rooftop fire spreads into apartment in Crown Heights

1:22
Early Red Nose Day festivities kick off in Dumbo

Early Red Nose Day festivities kick off in Dumbo

2:06
Community-run green space needs help to keep produce growing

Community-run green space needs help to keep produce growing

2:13
FDNY: 1 critical, firefighter injured in East Flatbush apartment fire

FDNY: 1 critical, firefighter injured in East Flatbush apartment fire

2:06
New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

2:00
Families devastated after learning 2 Brooklyn Catholic schools will be shutting down

Families devastated after learning 2 Brooklyn Catholic schools will be shutting down