The number of female staff members alleging sexual harassment by Cheektowaga Assemblyman Dennis Gabryzsak is now up to six.
Trina Tardone and Emily Trimper are are the latest staffers to allege misconduct by the Cheektowaga Democrat. They have filed a notice of claim through a local attorney, saying they were subjected to a hostile and offensive work environment that forced them to leave their jobs.
Tardone served as Gabryzsak's communications director from July 2009 to December 2010. She claims Gabryszak made numerous sexual advances toward her, including an incident in 2009 where he allegedly grabbed her and tried to kiss her.
Tardone says when she reported the inappropriate behavior to her supervisor, she was told to "Ignore it, that is the way Dennis is."
Trimper worked as Gabryszak's district office administrator for a time in 2007 and 2008. She says she was subjected to a continuous pattern of sexual harassment by the assemblyman, including lewd comments and invasions of her personal space.
Both women says they felt they had no choice but to quit their jobs. Four other female staffers, Kimberly Snickles, Jamie Campbell, Annalise Freling, and Caitrin Kennedy have made similar allegations against the assemblyman.
Gabryzsak has remained silent since the accusations first surfaced two weeks ago. Several lawmakers, including Governor Andrew Cuomo, have called on him to resign of the allegations are true.
