Panel May Broaden Net in Sexual Harassment Probe

A select committee investigating sexual harassment complaints against a former lawmaker will consider sending letters to all legislative staffers inviting them to come forward with grievances.

Members of the panel will vote on that proposal from Republican state Rep. Robert Benvenuti III next Wednesday.

Even if they send the letters, Chairman Jeffery Donohue, a Democratic representative from Fairdale, said the scope of the committee's work will remain focused only on former Rep. John Arnold, who resigned last month after two legislative aides accused him of sexual harassment. Donohue said the committee was charged only to look into Arnold's alleged actions and no one else's.

Donohue's committee could recommend that Arnold be reprimanded or fined. Had Arnold not resigned, the panel could have recommended that he be expelled from the Legislature.