Watch CBS News

State Attorney General Vows To Collect Sex Harassment Fine From Vito Lopez

ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on Tuesday vowed to ``take all appropriate action'' to compel former Assemblyman Vito Lopez to pay a $330,000 penalty for allegedly groping and intimidating female staff members.

The promise from a Schneiderman spokesman came after a state Supreme Court justice on Monday ruled in favor Schneiderman and dismissed Lopez's claims that he was denied due process.

Lopez had been ordered to pay a fine of $330,000 by the Legislative Ethics Commission after it determined that Lopez had violated ethics rules 33 times.

The once-powerful Brooklyn Democrat was accused of harassing young female staffers in a 2012 scandal. Lopez, who resigned in 2013, continues to deny that he mistreated the women.

Attempts to reach his attorney on Tuesday were unsuccessful.

Taxpayers are on the hook for $545,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by two former Lopez staffers.

After resigning from the Assembly, Lopez ran for a seat in the New York City Council in 2013 but lost to Antonio Reynoso.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.