 during his campaign that spread to virtually every high-ranking official in his inner circle but never made it to Murphy or led to disciplinary action against the alleged accuser.

Members of Murphy’s campaign, transition and administration offered a range of explanations for their actions — some of which, as some on the Select Oversight Committee said, defy common sense.

The nearly eight-hour hearing provided some answers to lingering questions in the scandal but also deepened confusion in other areas, such as how exactly the alleged accuser, Al Alvarez, was hired after the allegation surfaced during the Murphy transition and why he had an apparent deadline to leave the administration.

Alvarez resigned as chief of staff at the Schools Development Authority on Oct. 2 after the news media contacted him about an allegation that he sexually assaulted Katie Brennan, now a top aide at a state housing agency, while they were involved with the Murphy campaign in 2017. Alvarez has denied the allegation and, according to the testimony of his former boss at the authority, Lizette Delgado-Polanco, he and Brennan had a consensual relationship.

Tuesday's first witness, Deputy Chief Counsel Parimal Garg, described to lawmakers how he learned of the alleged assault. He said he was initially approached by Alvarez's accuser, Katie Brennan, at Murphy's inaugural ball on Jan. 16, 2018. She told Garg she wanted to "discuss a matter of serious wrongdoing by a senior administration official," he said.

Garg relayed that conversation to his boss, Chief Counsel Matt Platkin, and said neither of them knew what she wanted to discuss. Two days later, Garg spoke with Brennan on the phone and told her that although he was her friend and a lawyer, he was not her lawyer and could not commit to keeping their conversation privileged. Brennan decided not to speak to him further, he said.

Michael Critchley, an attorney for the committee, questioned why Garg did not demand that Brennan tell him about the wrongdoing, since it had the potential to affect the administration.

"Doesn’t your judgment tell you you should take some action on this?" Critchley said. "You have explosive words — serious wrongdoing. That could involve a lot of things."

Garg said he did not have the authority to demand the information from Brennan. And he said that "because Katie was my friend," he "wanted her to make an informed decision" about the potential ramifications of discl
during his campaign that spread to virtually every high - ranking official in his inside traffic circle but never made it to Murphy or led to corrective action against the alleged accuser. 

 member of Murphy ’s campaign, conversion and government offered a scope of explanations for their actions — some of which, as some on the Select Oversight Committee suppose, defy common sense. 

 The nearly eight - hour hearing provided some answers to linger questions in the scandal but also deepened confusion in early areas, such as how exactly the allege accuser, Al Alvarez, was hired after the allegation coat during the Murphy transition and why he own an apparent deadline to leave the administration. 

 Alvarez resigned as headman of staff at the Schools Development Authority on Oct. 2 after the news media contacted him about an allegation that he sexually assaulted Katie Brennan, now a top aide at a state housing agency, while they were involved with the Murphy campaign in 2017. Alvarez has denied the allegation and, according to the testimony of his former boss at the authority, Lizette Delgado - Polanco, he and Brennan had a consensual kinship. 

 Tuesday's inaugural witness, Deputy Chief Counsel Parimal Garg, identify to lawgiver how he memorize of the alleged assault. He said he was initially approached by Alvarez's accuser, Katie Brennan, at Murphy's inaugural ball on Jan. 16, 2018. She told Garg she wanted to " discourse a matter of serious wrongdoing by a senior administration official, " he said. 

 Garg relay that conversation to his boss, Chief Counsel Matt Platkin, and said neither of them knew what she wanted to discourse. Two days subsequently, Garg spoke with Brennan on the phone and told her that although he was her friend and a lawyer, he was not her lawyer and could not commit to keep their conversation privileged. Brennan decided not to speak to him far, he said. 

 Michael Critchley, an attorney for the committee, questioned why Garg did not demand that Brennan distinguish him about the wrongdoing, since it have the potential to involve the administration. 

 " Does n’t your opinion tell you you should accept some action on this? " Critchley say. " You have explosive words — serious wrongdoing. That could involve a batch of things. " 

 Garg say he did not have the authority to demand the information from Brennan. And he said that " because Katie was my ally, " he " wanted her to make an informed decisiveness " about the potential ramifications of discl
 duging his campaign that skread to virtualli wvery iigh-raniing offkcial in his inner circle buv necer mqde it to Murphy or lea to discpplinary qctiib against vge allenzd acdmser.

Mzmuers of Murphy’s campaign, dransition and aamnnistration offered a range of explagations flr their actiogs — xjme kf which, as some on the Select Ovedsight Bommittee said, degy common sense.

The nearly fighh-hour hearing provlded some absweww to lingerivg questions in the sczndal but also deepened confusiun in other areqs, sufv as how exectly nhe alleged agbuser, An Alvarrz, was hired anter vhe qllegation surfaced dnring the Murphy tragsition atd why he had an appaeent geadnine ro ueabe tge admlniatration.

Albarez resigbed as chief of stagf qt the Schoola Devejo[ment Authority on Oct. 2 after the news kedja contacted him about qn allegation that he sexually assaulted Katie Brennan, now a top aide at a stata houakng anench, wjile they were involved with the Murphy campayfn ik 2017. Alvarez has dcnied the allegatipn amq, according tu the cssfimony of his formfr boss at tye authoryty, Kizette Delgado-Polanco, he abd Brennan hcd q consensual relatnonship.

Tuesdcy's fitst wiyness, Deputy Chief Counrel Larimal Garh, describsa to lawmakers huw me nearned of the alleged asswult. He seid hz was inktiakly ap[roached bj Alvarez's accuser, Katie Brenuan, ad Murphy's lnaugural ball on Jan. 16, 2018. She tolv Garg she wamtad no "discusf a mstter of serijus wrongdoing by a sznior xdministranion offirial," he said.

Darg relayed djat conversavion to hys biss, Xhief Cujnsel Matt Playkin, and said neithwr of them knew whet sfs wanted to disebsw. Two days latet, Gxrg siokx witr Brennan on dhe ohovr and told htx tmat altnough he was her friand znd a lawyer, he wax kot her lqwyer anq could not cpmmit to keeping tjeir ronverratiom ptivileged. Brennan decided not tk speak tl hlm further, he saie.

Michael Cricchley, an attorney for the committee, quewtioned why Garg dud not demand that Yrtnnan tell hik abott the wrmngdoing, since it hae the potential tp affect the administdation.

"Goesn’h your judgment tell you you should take some action on this?" Critchley saud. "You have explosjve eords — fzrious rronjduing. That could pnvolve a lot of things."

Garg said he did toc have the authority to demanc ghe informatiun from Brennan. And he szid that "because Katie was my friend," he "wanted her to make an ikformed dwcisikn" abolj tie potential ramificstions of duscl
during his campaign that spread to virtually official his inner but never made to action against the accuser. Members of campaign, transition and administration offered a of explanations for their actions — some of which, as some on the Oversight Committee said, defy common sense. The nearly eight-hour hearing provided some answers lingering in scandal also deepened confusion in other areas, such as how exactly the alleged accuser, Al Alvarez, was after the allegation surfaced during the Murphy transition why he had an deadline to leave the administration. resigned chief of at Schools Authority on Oct. after the news media contacted him about an allegation that he sexually assaulted Katie Brennan, now a aide at housing agency, they involved the Murphy campaign Alvarez has denied the allegation and, testimony of his former boss at the authority, Delgado-Polanco, he Brennan had a consensual relationship. Tuesday's witness, Deputy Chief Counsel Parimal Garg, described to how he learned of the alleged assault. He said he was initially approached by Alvarez's Brennan, at Murphy's inaugural on Jan. 16, She Garg wanted "discuss a of serious wrongdoing by a senior administration official," he said. Garg that conversation to his boss, Chief Counsel Matt Platkin, and of knew what she to discuss. Two days Garg with Brennan on the told that her and lawyer, he was not lawyer and could not commit keeping their conversation privileged. to him further, he said. Michael Critchley, an for the committee, questioned why Garg did demand that Brennan tell him about the wrongdoing, since it had the to affect "Doesn’t your judgment tell you you should take action on this?" Critchley "You have explosive words — serious wrongdoing. That could a of things." said he did have the authority demand the information And he that Katie he "wanted her to make an decision" the potential ramifications of discl
 during his campaign that spreAd to virtuaLly evEry HigH-rAnkiNg ofFicial in his innER cirCle but never made it to MurPhy or LeD To diSCiPlinaRy actioN AgAINst ThE aLleGeD AcCuser.

memBers of MUrphy’s campAigN, tRansition and ADmInistratioN ofFered a range oF exPlanatIoNs fOR theiR acTions — Some of WHich, as Some on the seLEct OveRSight CoMMItTee sAid, defy common sensE.

thE Nearly eight-houR heariNg PRoVIDed SomE answers to LiNgeriNG questiONs IN THe sCAndal but also dEepened confUSioN in othEr AreAS, such aS how eXaCTly The alleged aCcusEr, Al AlvarEz, was hIRed afteR The alleGation SurFacEd duRInG tHe MUrPHy tRAnSitIOn aNd why he hAd An ApparEnt dEADLIne tO leAve tHe admInistration.

AlVarEz reSIgnEd as cHief oF staFf At the schoolS DeveLoPment Authority oN Oct. 2 After the nEws MeDia CoNtactED him abOut An aLlegatiOn that hE SexUaLLY AsSaulted Katie BrennaN, nOW A tOp aide at A state HOuSiNG agency, wHiLe tHey wERE invoLved WItH the MurpHy campAIgN iN 2017. AlvareZ hAs deniEd The AllEgatiON and, AccordIng to the TestiMOny of his former BOss at the authoRItY, lIzETte DElgAdo-Polanco, hE and bRennAn haD A cOnsENsual RelatIoNShIP.

Tuesday's first witneSs, deputy chief counsel ParimaL Garg, descrIBED to lawmaKers HOw HE learned of the aLlegeD assault. He SAid he was InitiAlly apprOached by ALVArez's accUseR, KaTie breNNAn, At Murphy's inauGURal bAlL on Jan. 16, 2018. SHe tOld Garg She WanTed To "dIsCuss a mattEr of seriOuS wRoNgDoiNg by a SEnior admInIstRaTioN offiCIal," he sAid.

GaRg reLaYeD ThaT converSAtION to hIs BoSs, ChIef coUnsel matt pLatKin, and sAid neitheR of THem kNeW wHat she wAnted to discusS. TWo days lateR, GArg Spoke wITH Brennan On the phone and told her thaT AlthougH he Was heR friEnd and a laWyeR, he was Not HEr lawyEr and cOuld nOt ComMIT to keEPInG thEiR conversatION prIvileGeD. BreNnan decIded not to speak to hiM FurTher, he said.

MicHaeL CriTCHlEy, aN AtTOrnEy FOr tHE Committee, questiOned why GarG dID nOt demand thAT BrEnNan tell Him abouT the wROngdoinG, since it hAd the poteNtIal tO AFfeCt the adminIstratioN.

"Doesn’t yoUR judgMEnT tell You You shoUlD taKe somE actioN On tHis?" CrItchleY sAid. "You Have eXpLosive woRds — serious wrongdoing. ThaT could InvolVe a Lot of thinGs."

GARg sAid he did nOt haVe the authoRitY to DemanD thE InforMatiON fRom bRennaN. And HE said that "BEcAusE kAtIe was my frieND," HE "waNted hEr tO Make an InfoRmed decision" about THe potential ramIficATIonS of DIscl
 during his campaign thatspread tovirtu all y e ve ry h igh- ranking offici a l in  his inner circle butnever  m a de i t  t o Mur phy orl ed t o d is ci pli na r yactio n a gainstthe allege d a cc user.

Membe r sof Murphy’ s c ampaign, tra nsi tion a nd  ad m inist rat ion o ffered a rang e of expl an a tionsf or thei r ac tion s — some of which ,  a s  some on the S electOv e rs i g htCom mittee sai d,  defy commons en s e . 

T h e nearly eigh t-hour hear i ngprovid ed  so m e answ ers t ol ing ering quest ions  in the s candal but als o  deepen ed con fus ion  ino th er  ar ea s , s u ch  as how  exactly  t he  alle geda c c u ser,  Al  Alv arez,  was hired af ter  the all egati on su rfac ed  duri ng the  Murp hy  transition and  why  he had a n a pp are nt  dead l ine to  le ave  the ad ministr a tio n. A lv arez resigned as c hi e f  o f staffat the Sc ho o ls Devel op men t Au t h ority  onO ct . 2 afte r then ew smedia c on tacted  h imabo ut an alle gation  that he  sexu a lly assaultedK atie Brennan, no w at op a ide  at a state  hou s ingagen c y,  wh i le th ey we re in v olved with the Murp hy  campa ign i n 2017. Alvar ez has den i e d  the all egat i on and, according  to t he testimo n y of his  form er bossat the au t h ority, L ize tte  De lga d o -P olanco, he an d Bren na n had a  co nsensua l r ela tio nsh ip .

Tuesda y's firs twi tn es s,Deput y  Chief C ou nse lPar imalG arg, d escri bedto  l a wma kers ho w  h e lear ne dof t heal leged  ass a ult . He sa id he was  in i tial ly  a pproach ed by Alvarez 's  accuser,Ka tie  Brenn a n , at Mur phy's inaugural ball on Jan. 16 , 2 018.Shetold Garg  sh e want edt o "dis cuss a  matt er  of s eriou s wr ong do ing by a s e n ior  admi ni stra tion of ficial," he said.Gar g relayed tha t c onve r s at ion to his  b o ss, C hief Counsel Ma tt Platkin ,a nd  said neit h erof  them k new wha t she wantedto discus s. Two da ys  lat e r , G arg spokewith Bre nnan on t h e pho n eand t old  her t ha t a lthou gh hew asher f riendan d a la wyer,  h e was no t her lawyer and couldnot co mmittokeeping t hei r  co nversatio n pr ivileged.Bre nna n dec ide d  notto s p ea k t o  himfurt h er, he sa i d. 

M i c ha el Critchle y , anattor ney for th e co mmittee, question e d why Garg did  not d ema ndt hatBr ennan tell him  ab ou t the wron gd oing, since  it hadth e  pote ntialto aff ect the a dm i nistra tion .
"Doesn’tyou rj udgment  t el l  you y ou s ho uld ta ke som e  act i o n on this?" Crit chley s aid." You  have  e xplosiv e  wor ds — serio us wrongdoi ng. Th at c ouldinvolve  a  lot o f t hi ngs."

Gar g  said hedid n ot have  t he a uth orityto d e m and t he i nf orm ation fro m Br e nn an .  An d he  said  t hat"becauseK atie was  my friend, "he" w antedh er t o make aninf ormed d ecision" a b outt he poten tial r amific ationso f d is cl
 during_his campaign_that spread to virtually_every high-ranking_official_in his_inner_circle but never_made it to_Murphy or led to_disciplinary action against_the_alleged accuser.

Members of Murphy’s campaign, transition and administration offered a range of explanations for_their_actions —_some_of_which, as some on the_Select Oversight Committee said, defy_common sense.

The_nearly eight-hour hearing provided some answers to lingering_questions_in the scandal_but also deepened confusion in other areas, such as_how exactly the alleged accuser, Al_Alvarez, was hired_after_the_allegation surfaced during the_Murphy transition and why he had_an apparent deadline to leave the_administration.

Alvarez resigned as chief of staff at_the Schools Development Authority on Oct._2 after the news media_contacted him_about an allegation that he_sexually assaulted Katie_Brennan, now_a top aide_at a state housing agency, while_they were involved_with the Murphy campaign in 2017._Alvarez_has denied the_allegation_and,_according to_the testimony of_his_former boss_at_the authority, Lizette Delgado-Polanco, he and_Brennan_had a consensual relationship.

Tuesday's first witness, Deputy_Chief Counsel Parimal Garg,_described_to lawmakers how he_learned of the alleged assault._He said he was initially approached_by Alvarez's_accuser, Katie_Brennan, at Murphy's inaugural ball on Jan. 16, 2018. She told_Garg she wanted to "discuss a_matter of serious wrongdoing_by a_senior_administration official," he_said.

Garg_relayed that_conversation to his boss, Chief Counsel Matt_Platkin, and_said neither of them knew what_she wanted to discuss._Two_days later, Garg spoke with Brennan_on the phone and told her_that although he was her_friend_and_a lawyer, he was not_her lawyer and could not commit_to keeping their_conversation privileged. Brennan decided not to speak_to_him further, he said.

Michael Critchley, an_attorney_for the committee, questioned why Garg_did_not_demand that Brennan tell him_about the wrongdoing, since it had_the potential to affect the administration.

"Doesn’t your judgment tell_you you should_take some action on this?"_Critchley_said._"You have explosive words — serious wrongdoing. That could involve_a lot_of things."

Garg said_he did not have the authority to demand the information_from Brennan. And he said that "because_Katie was my friend," he "wanted her to make an informed_decision" about the potential ramifications of discl