The special prosecutor tasked with investigating accusations that former New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman engaged in non-consensual violence with romantic partners announced Thursday that she would not file criminal charges against Scheiderman.
The prosecutor, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas, wrote Thursday: “I believe the women who shared their experiences with our investigation team, however legal impediments, including statutes of limitations, preclude criminal prosecution.”
Schneiderman resigned in May shortly after The New Yorker published on-record allegations from multiple former romantic partners of his, as well as one unnamed woman who rebuffed Schneiderman’s advances, who said he physically abused them in a variety of ways.
Schneiderman also allegedly threatened the women in order to intimidate them and prevent them from speaking out about the abuse. At the time, Schneiderman denied threatening the women or having “assaulted anyone.”
Singas noted that she personally interviewed each of Schneiderman’s accusers. She also recommended legislation to fill a gap in New York state law regarding non-consensual physical violence “with the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification.”
10/ DA @madelinesingas has also proposed new legislation called “Sexual Harassment,” which would be the first crime in #NYS history bearing that name. Here is the text of her proposal, which she has sent to the NYS Legislature. pic.twitter.com/TAFT1l3n55
— Daniel R. Alonso (@DanielRAlonso) November 8, 2018
Schneiderman said in a statement quoted by multiple outlets: “I recognize that District Attorney Singas’ decision not to prosecute does not mean I have done nothing wrong. I accept full responsibility for my conduct in my relationships with my accusers, and for the impact it had on them.”
