Updated Sep 7, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Human Rights Campaign ousts president after Cuomo report

Rebecca Falconer

President Alphonso David speaks during the Human Rights Campaign's 19th Annual Greater New York Gala at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on February 01, 2020 in New York City. — Alphonso David speaks during the Human Rights Campaign's 19th Annual Greater New York Gala at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on Feb. 1, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)

The Human Rights Campaign announced late Monday that Alphonso David was being replaced as president following an investigation into his work in helping former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) respond to sexual harassment allegations.

Why it matters: The HRC is the largest LGBTQ advocacy group in the U.S. and David was its first Black president. The HRC said its boards voted to remove him from the role "effective immediately, for violations of his contract with the Human Rights Campaign," the New York Times first reported.

David's ouster came after the HRC hired an independent law firm to investigate him following a report from investigators appointed by New York Attorney General Letitia James' office implicating him in allegations that Cuomo tried to discredit his accusers.

What he's saying: David said in a statement posted to Twitter at midnight that the HRC should "expect a legal challenge," accusing the group of "unjustly" providing "notice of termination to me in order to end my fight for the integrity of the review process."

He posted a statement earlier Monday saying the HRC board executives should release the findings of its investigation.

Driving the news: David served as Cuomo's chief counsel before joining the HRC.

The New York attorney general's office report found that David sent one of Cuomo's accusers' confidential personnel files to an adviser for the then-governor.
Some of these details were released to reporters after the accuser made her allegations public, according to the report.
David said earlier this month that he was legally obligated to share those details as part of his role.

Of note: David called on Cuomo to step down after the report was made public.

Cuomo denies any wrongdoing, but resigned last month, citing impeachment proceedings he's facing over the sexual misconduct allegations.

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

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Human Rights Campaign ousts president after Cuomo report

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