In a stinging slap at a key state legislator, the New York State Democratic Party on Friday called for an independent investigation of a sexual misconduct claim leveled against Bronx state Sen. Jeff Klein.
The resolution was backed by party vice chair Christine Quinn, a close ally of Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Quinn spoke forcefully for the measure at the meeting in Albany, sources said.
A source said Quinn’s remarks were made with Cuomo’s blessing.
Klein heads the eight-member Independent Democratic Caucus aligned with the Republican majority in the Senate, making him one of the most powerful legislators in the state.
Former legislative staffer Erica Vladimer accused Klein of forcibly kissing her outside an Albany bar in 2015.
Klein has denied the charges and said he’d welcome an investigation by the Joint Commission on Public Ethics.
The demand for an independent probe was pushed by members of the Democratic Party’s progressive caucus, which has long criticized Klein and other IDC members for their alliance with Republicans.
The vote was virtually unanimous after Quinn called for accountability and zero tolerance against sexual harassment.
Klein spokesperson Candice Giove slammed the move as a publicity ploy.
“Senator Klein denies the allegation made against him, and immediately called for an independent investigation which is underway,” Giove said.
“Today, instead of focusing on their jobs, which is to improve the sexual harassment laws in New York State, members of the progressive caucus engaged in a publicity stunt which sadly further exploits this serious issue to promote their political agenda.”