A New York county Democrat resigned 30 minutes before legislators were set to vote her out of her position as chair of the board after accusations that a staffer allegedly tried to solicit someone he thought was an underage girl.
Westchester County Board of Legislators Chair Catherine Borgia was under pressure to step down from the chair by other board members who alleged she failed to act when she was told in December 2022 that a staffer was caught on video trying to meet a 14-year-old girl, according to Fox News.
Borgia blamed the ordeal on “institutional misogyny,” despite the fact that she maintained her seat on the Democrat-heavy board, which is 41% women.
“I believe the events of the past 10 days have been politically motivated and based in institutional misogyny that is all too pervasive in the brutal, reactive and mean-spirited political world in which we all now live,” Borgia told the New York Post.
“However, the past 10 days have also included an overwhelming amount of support, encouragement, love and well wishes; some from surprising quarters. I cannot tell you how heartened I have been to receive it. Thank you to all of you,” she continued.
Borgia attempted to prevent colleagues from voting her out by filing a lawsuit. She then resigned 30 minutes before the vote was to take place. Despite this, she has maintained her seat on the board.
The now-former chair also claimed that the board was setting a bad precedent by attempting to vote her out of the role and endangering the county’s work.
“Every Chair of this body will be seated knowing that if nine colleagues disagree with any of the myriad decisions that the position requires, he/she/they can also be removed at any time. … I’m saddened that my colleagues chose to take the path that most endangers the work of the County,” she added.
The former staffer in question was fired on April 13, 2023, after a video was published by a group called OBL Global. The group allegedly showed the man trying to meet up with an underage girl in a sting operation in New Jersey.
The lengthy video allegedly showed some of the man’s text messages with the “decoy,” asking about birth control and saying that he “can bring some toys.”
Borgia said she took the accusations “very seriously” when she found out in December 2022 and referred the the case to the FBI. Colleagues took issue with the fact that it took several months for the man to be fired.
The man still has not been arrested. Borgia’s office did not respond to request for comment.
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