Weinberg Blasts Governor’s ‘Hypocritical’ Criticism of Legislature Over Katie Brennan Bills

Senate Majority Leader: Governor should publicly order his campaign to immediately release all women from NDAs

Trenton – Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) today issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s statement criticizing legislation that arose out of the Legislative Select Oversight Committee investigation into the handling of the Katie Brennan case:

“Before the Governor lashes out publicly, he should acknowledge that neither he nor any of his staff ever reached out to me personally by phone, email or in leadership meetings to propose or discuss amendments. We read about his proposed amendments in the press. He never has a problem reaching out to me on anything he considers important.

“It is hypocritical of the Governor to criticize the work of the Legislative Select Oversight Committee when he continues to refuse to release all women who worked or volunteered on his campaign from non-disclosure agreements threatening them with legal action if they speak publicly about the abuse and harassment they witnessed.

“If the Governor wants us to believe he is sincere about changing the toxic culture of sexual harassment, assault and misogyny in Trenton outlined in the Star-Ledger’s investigation, he needs to take that step. We need to encourage more women to speak out — as Katie Brennan did so courageously — not try to silence them through legal tactics.

“Until he takes that action, whatever the Governor says — whether it’s in the State of the State speech or anywhere else — is just hollow rhetoric, and we will treat it as such.

“We look forward to the Governor signing all of the Katie Brennan bills.”