NEW YORK, NY — June 25, 2019 — New York State Inspector General Letizia Tagliafierro issued the following statement regarding the termination of Robert Freeman:
“Based on the preliminary findings of our office’s ongoing investigation into a recent complaint filed against Mr. Freeman, I appreciate the swift action taken by the Department of State. 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.”
UPDATE: News Coverage
GLENS FALLS POST STAR: Editorial: #Metoo movement is tested again
Jun 30, 2019 – That employee was Robert Freeman, the respected and revered head of the state…..
PLATSBURGH PRESS REPUBLICAN: Editorial: Freeman a loss for media
Jun 29, 2019 – We were disheartened to hear this week of the alleged foul behavior of longtime open-government champion Robert Freeman. Freeman, who headed the…..
WAMC : Albany In State Of “Soul-Searching” After Fall Of Robert Freeman
Jun 28, 2019 – But as the USA Today Network’s Albany Bureau reported, Freeman faces allegations of sexual harassment from a number of journalists, and was the subject of….
DAILY GAZETTE >>> EDITORIAL: Fight for openness will go on
Jun 28, 2019 – New York journalists and good-government advocates woke up Tuesday to some shocking news — that Robert Freeman, the longtime head of the state …
SPECTRUM NEWS: Advocates Praise New York’s Sexual Harassment Law Overhaul
Jun 27, 2019 – But just this week, another case arose for state government as Robert Freeman, a longtime open government and records expert, was fired for sexually…
JOURNAL NEWS: Multiple women claim harassment by Robert Freeman, the prominent …
Jun 27, 2019 So she did what any New York reporter would have done: Call Robert Freeman, a nationally recognized public-records expert who had led the state Committee….
DAILY GAZETTE: Advocate for press freedom fired after sexual misconduct allegation
The Daily Gazette-Jun 25, 2019Robert Freeman, an outspoken advocate for freedom of information in New York state, was fired from his job Monday as the executive director of the state …
PLATSBURGH PRESS: State government records expert hit with harassment allegations
Jun 25, 2019 – ALBANY – For more than 40 years, Robert Freeman served as state government’s guide for news reporters seeking access to public records maintained by….
ALBANY TIMES UNION: Watchdog Robert Freeman fired over sexually inappropriate behavior
Jun 25, 2019 – Robert Freeman, the longtime leader of the state’s Committee on Open Government, was fired Monday after an investigation of allegations he behaved in a…..
DAILY NEWS: The open secret about the secret-opener
Jun 25, 2019 – When news broke early Tuesday that Robert Freeman, the long-tenured Freedom of Information Law expert who New York reporters revered as the ultimate…..
NEW YORK TIMES: Advocate Dedicated to Uncovering Government Secrets Is Fired
Jun 25, 2019 – ALBANY — For more than four decades, Robert J. Freeman was a champion of government transparency in New York. As the executive director of the….
WNBC – TV: New York Government Watchdog Fired After Sexual Misconduct Probe
Jun 25, 2019 – Robert Freeman was terminated Monday as the director of the Committee on Open Government…
SARATOGAN: NY open government watchdog fired after sexual assault allegation
Jun 25, 2019 – The dismissal of Robert Freeman — who led the government watchdog committee for more than 40 years and was quoted regularly by news media across the….
NEW YORK POST: State open government advocate fired for sexual misconduct
Jun 25, 2019 – Robert Freeman, the longtime head of the state Committee on Open Government, has been fired for behaving in a “sexually inappropriate manner” toward a….