{"id":4167,"date":"2026-04-07T10:10:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T10:10:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?p=4167"},"modified":"2026-04-07T10:10:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T10:10:11","slug":"rep-joseph-morelle-forced-to-explain-why-he-blasted-victim-who-accused-ny-party-boss-aide-of-abuse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?p=4167","title":{"rendered":"Rep. Joseph Morelle forced to explain why he blasted victim who accused NY party boss&#8217; aide of abuse"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <div style=\"display: grid; grid-template-columns: 300px 160px; gap: 2px; width: 460px; background: #eee; padding: 2px;\">\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u6574\u884c\u5bbd\u5e7f\u544a -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-column: 1\/-1; width: 460px; height: 250px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876674\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div style=\"grid-column: 1\/-1; width: 460px; height: 90px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876676\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u5de6\u4fa7\u7ad6\u6392 -->\r\n  <div style=\"height: 250px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876672\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div style=\"height: 500px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876680\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u53f3\u4fa7\u6469\u5929\u697c\uff08\u548c\u5de6\u4fa7\u5b8c\u5168\u5bf9\u9f50\uff09 -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-row: 3\/5; height: 750px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876678\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  \r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e6\" data-zoneid=\"5876682\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n<\/div><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>An upstate congressman was forced to admit he was wrong to dismiss a sex-attack victim who came forward years ago to accuse an aide to one of the most powerful Democrats in New York State, a sworn statement shows.<\/p>\n<p>Rochester Rep. Joseph Morelle admitted that he was wrong to dismiss accuser and former state Assembly staffer Elizabeth Crothers\u2019 rape accusations against convicted predator Michael Boxley \u2014 who worked for then-Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen the allegation was made, I did not know Ms. Crothers, and do not believe I had ever met or spoken with her,\u201d Morelle said in an affidavit as part of the negligence lawsuit Crothers brought against the Assembly and the State of New York for its handling of her claim.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Morelle admitted that he was wrong to dismiss Crothers\u2019 rape accusations against convicted predator Michael Boxley. <span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Boxley allegedly denied the accusations in a 2001 chat with Morelle, who was then a member of the state Assembly. Former Assembly staffer Rikki Shaw is pictured. <span class=\"credit\">Obtained by NYPost<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>At the time he made the comments, Morelle was friendly with Boxley, the legal counsel or top aide to Silver. Boxley allegedly denied the accusations in a 2001 chat with Morelle, who was then a member of the state Assembly.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShortly after speaking with Boxley, a reporter for a local news outlet approached me and asked me my thoughts were regarding the rape allegations made by Ms. Crothers against Mr. Boxley. I responded that \u2018I absolutely don\u2019t believe a word of it,&#8217;\u201d Morelle said, according to his sworn statement.<\/p>\n<p>An Assembly probe cleared Boxley but he was later indicted for raping another Assembly staffer, Rikki Shaw.<\/p>\n<p>Boxley pleaded guilty in 2003 to a lesser sexual misconduct charge for having intercourse with Shaw without her consent to settle the rape case.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMany years later, in 2018, I publicly apologized to Elizabeth Crothers for making that statement in 2001. I recognized that my 2001 statement was insensitive and made without full knowledge of the facts,\u201d Morelle said in the affidavit.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-primary-tag\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cMy statement in 2001 was intended to be supportive of Michael Boxley.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Morelle also admitted he recalled hearing \u201crumors spread\u201d to smear Crothers, an alleged rape victim.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am aware that on December 22, 2003, Michael Boxley pled guilty to criminal charges and admitted in open court to having sexual intercourse with a 22-year-old Assembly without her consent,\u201d the congressman said.<\/p>\n<p>Morelle, before his election to Congress, served as the Democratic Assembly majority leader under both Speakers Silver and then Carl Heastie from 2013-2018.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>An Assembly probe cleared Boxley but he was later indicted for raping another Assembly staffer, Rikki Shaw. <span class=\"credit\">AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>He claimed he\u2019s now more sensitive to women who claim they were sexually abused by men in power.<\/p>\n<p>Boxley has long denied that he raped Crothers, and did so again in his own deposition in the Crothers case, where he invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 40 times.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, former city Comptroller and Assemblyman Scott Stringer issued his own sworn statement in the Crothers case.<\/p>\n<p>He said he spoke to Crothers the night she claimed Boxley raped her on June 29, 2001.<\/p>\n<p>Stringer and Crothers stayed at the same hotel in Albany when the legislature was in session, and she explained what happened to her in excruciating and horrifying detail.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAlthough Elizabeth was having difficulty speaking, she was able to tell me that she had gone to Michael Boxley\u2019s apartment with him and that they had kissed and that Boxley forced himself on her and raped her,\u201d Stringer said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Morelle claimed he\u2019s now more sensitive to women who claim they were sexually abused by men in power. <span class=\"credit\">AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>He said Crothers was \u201cworried and upset\u201d that Boxley did not use a condom, and that she was on her period and had a tampon in but could not locate it and was afraid that it had been \u201cshoved deep inside her by Boxley when he raped her.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cElizabeth was upset and did not know what to do,\u201d Stringer said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe discussed possible options that Elizabeth could take including going to the hospital, making a police report, trying to get mental health services, etc. I recall that I expressed my unconditional support for Elizabeth regardless of whether or not she decided to make a report to the police, to the Assembly, or to the Assembly Speaker; and I continued to give her my full support throughout the entire horrible ordeal.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Stringer declined further comment when contacted by the Post on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>Crothers filed a civil suit in 2023 against the Assembly and the state of New York under the Adult Survivors Act. She accused the state of promoting a hostile work environment, sexual harassment and negligence.<\/p>\n<p>Shaw did not reveal her identity herself as Boxley\u2019s abuse victim when he was prosecuted. She was referred to as \u201cJane Doe\u2019 at the time.<\/p>\n<div class=\"single__inline-module inline-module inline-module--newsletter aligncenter inline-module--nypostbusinessunit aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-newsletter\" data-source-unit=\"Inline Newsletter Module Morning Report\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__inner\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__title-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__unsubmitted-title-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"inline-module__title headline headline--combo-sm-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStart your day with all you need to know\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"inline-module__cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMorning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><h3 class=\"inline-module__title headline headline--combo-sm-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>But as the Post reported earlier Monday, Shaw decided to go public and submitted an affidavit in support of Crothers and other abuse survivors\/<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMore than 20 years after I was raped, Albany is still protecting the politically connected instead of holding predators accountable,\u201d Shaw told The Post.<\/p>\n<p>Crothers\u2019 attorney slammed state Attorney General Letitia James for aggressively defending the Assembly and the Albany government in the case.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRecognizing that the abuse and cover-up of Ms. Crothers\u2019 assault happened in a different era of New York State\u2019s leadership, we expected this AG who has been such a champion for victims of sexual assault to be eager to make amends with Ms. Crothers,\u201d said Crothers\u2019 lawyer, Carrie Goldberg.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cInstead, we\u2019ve seen aggressive efforts to try to get Ms. Crothers\u2019 case thrown out, despite there being uncontroverted evidence that she was raped and horrifically retaliated against. It makes us question whether anything has meaningfully changed in New York politics.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Goldberg added, \u201cThey\u2019ve made zero efforts to try to resolve the case which frankly is fine for us given Ms. Crothers\u2019 heaping evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The attorney general\u2019s office said Monday it is defending the Assembly and the government in the Crothers case in its capacity as the state\u2019s legal counsel.<\/p>\n<p>The trial is scheduled for Aug. 24.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- \u603b\u5bb9\u5668\uff1a\u6700\u5927\u5bbd908px Grid\u7d27\u51d1\u5e03\u5c40 -->\r\n<div style=\"display: grid; grid-template-columns: 728px 160px; gap:2px; width:908px; background:#eee; padding:2px;\">\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u901a\u680f\u9876\u90e8\uff1a\u6700\u5927\u6a2a\u5e45 908x258 \u8de8\u6574\u884c -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-column:1\/-1; height:258px; background:#ff6b6b; display:grid; place-items:center;\">\r\n    <!-- JuicyAds v3.0 -->\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async src=\"https:\/\/poweredby.jads.co\/js\/jads.js\"><\/script>\r\n<ins id=\"1114307\" data-width=\"908\" data-height=\"258\"><\/ins>\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async>(adsbyjuicy = window.adsbyjuicy || []).push({'adzone':1114307});<\/script>\r\n<!--JuicyAds END-->\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u7b2c\u4e8c\u901a\u680f\uff1a728\u00d790 \u901a\u680f -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-column:1\/-1; 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height:600px;  display:grid; place-items:center;\">\r\n    <!-- JuicyAds v3.0 -->\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async src=\"https:\/\/poweredby.jads.co\/js\/jads.js\"><\/script>\r\n<ins id=\"1114301\" data-width=\"160\" data-height=\"600\"><\/ins>\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" async>(adsbyjuicy = window.adsbyjuicy || []).push({'adzone':1114301});<\/script>\r\n<!--JuicyAds END-->\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/04\/07\/us-news\/rep-joseph-morelle-forced-to-explain-why-he-blasted-victim-who-accused-ny-party-boss-aide-of-abuse\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An upstate congressman was forced to admit he was wrong to dismiss a sex-attack victim&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4168,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[349],"tags":[3319,637,1428,4905,1376,4904,2901,2867,4903,4057,1476,2389],"class_list":["post-4167","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-abuse","tag-accused","tag-aide","tag-blasted","tag-boss","tag-explain","tag-forced","tag-joseph","tag-morelle","tag-party","tag-rep","tag-victim"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/125124437.jpg",1200,799,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/125124437-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/125124437-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/125124437-768x511.jpg",640,426,true],"large":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/125124437-1024x682.jpg",640,426,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/125124437.jpg",1200,799,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/125124437.jpg",1200,799,false],"covernews-slider-full":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/125124437-1115x715.jpg",1115,715,true],"covernews-slider-center":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/125124437-800x500.jpg",800,500,true],"covernews-featured":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/125124437-1024x682.jpg",1024,682,true],"covernews-medium":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/125124437-540x340.jpg",540,340,true],"covernews-medium-square":["https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/125124437-400x250.jpg",400,250,true]},"author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?author=1"},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?cat=349\" rel=\"category\">Blog<\/a>","tag_info":"Blog","comment_count":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4167","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4167"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4167\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4168"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4167"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4167"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}