Robert Freeman, the longtime head of the state Committee on Open Government, has been fired for behaving in a “sexually inappropriate manner” toward a female reporter, whom he kissed and fondled during his official duties, according to an investigation.
The state Inspector General’s Office received a complaint on June 13 from the reporter at The Journal News/lohud.com, a news outlet based in Westchester County, in which she alleged that Freeman, 72, “sexually assaulted her while meeting with her in his official capacity.”
The Journal News/lohud.com reported that the journalist works for the Westchester County-based news outlet.
Freeman’s accuser testified that he engaged in “unwanted physical contact” during a work meeting, during and after which he touched her waist, back and buttocks, and parted her braids from her face, moving them behind her shoulders.
His accuser testified that Freeman engaged in “unwanted physical contact” during a work meeting, during and after which he touched her waist, back and buttocks, and parted her braids from her face, moving them behind her shoulders.
The woman said Freeman also kissed her on the cheek while grasping her head and made “gender and racially based derogatory comments” while gazing repeatedly at her chest.
During the investigation, a review of Freeman’s work emails revealed that he also exchanged “sexually suggestive emails and photographic images with another young woman whom Freeman seemingly met as part of his official duties.”
Freeman’s work computer contained “a copious number” of photos of naked and scantily clad woman, according to a letter outlining the preliminary findings of the probe.
It is believed that Freeman may have met that woman in October 2018, during his presentation at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.
The two entered a personal relationship shortly after his appearance at the school, according to the investigation, which cited Freeman’s email exchanges with the woman.
The back-and-forth emails, which continued as recently as this month, contained “provocative photographic images and sexual intimations.”
According to Freeman’s personnel records, he was counseled in 2013 for inappropriate workplace behavior with several female staffers at the New York Department of State. He also had been ordered to attend sexual-harassment prevention training.
He had been warned that failure to adhere to the workplace policy would lead to “more serious corrective action up to and including termination.”
Freeman has “admitted to many of the allegations,” the inspector general said, including kissing the young reporter and exchanging sexual images with the other woman on his work email system.
He also testified that he had viewed sexually explicit images on his work computer via the internet.
Department of State spokesman Lee Park told The Post that Freeman “is no longer employed” by the department. “We do not discuss personnel matters and have no further comment,” he added.
No decision has been made about a permanent replacement for Freeman. Longtime committee employee Kristin O’Neill “is currently managing the committee and its operations continue unabated,” Park said.
Mary Dolan, editor of The Journal News/lohud.com, praised the “quick actions of the Inspector General’s Office.”
“Since learning of the incident involving our employee, we have worked to provide her with support and assistance in navigating this process. We look forward to learning more ourselves as the investigation continues,” she said.
In a statement, Inspector General Letizia Tagliafierro said: “The abuse of a public position to engage in illicit conduct will not be tolerated by anyone at any level in New York State government. We are continuing to work closely with our law enforcement partners on this investigation and encourage anyone who may have additional information regarding this matter to contact our offices.”
In 1974, Freeman helped create the state Committee on Open Government and had headed it since 1976 — providing reporters with expert advice on how to handle state and local governments that fought requests for public documents and access to public meetings.
In 2010, he was honored by the New York News Publishers Association for his contributions to journalism . Three years later, he was given a lifetime achievement award by New York State Associated Press Association.