Israeli at Heart of N.J. Gay Scandal Returns Home
By REUTERS, from the
NYTimes on the Web, August 17, 2004
JERUSALEM -- An Israeli at the
center of a scandal that led New Jersey Governor James McGreevey to quit over a
homosexual affair returned home Wednesday complaining of a "difficult period" in
his first public remarks on the case.
Golan Cipel, a former aide to McGreevey, told reporters outside his parents'
home near Tel Aviv that he wanted to prepare for a legal battle against the
governor over alleged sexual harassment.
McGreevey's spokesman has denied the governor, who announced last week he would
resign over an affair with an unnamed man, sexually harassed Cipel or tried to
buy his silence.
"I have gone through a difficult period. I came
home to be with my family and friends," an unshaven Cipel, clad in jeans and a
polo shirt, told reporters in his hometown of Rishon Lezion.
He said he could not divulge any more details of his sexual harassment
accusations, pending legal action.
"Sexual harassment is very traumatic. Those who
have not experienced it cannot know just how difficult it is," a spokeswoman,
Einat Oren, quoted Cipel as saying.
"I came to Israel to renew my strength together with my family and my friends
... and I intend to return to the United States in the next few weeks so the
truth will come to light," Cipel said in a statement.
McGreevey, who earlier this year said he opposed gay marriage, told a news
conference Thursday he had had a consensual affair with another man and would
resign on Nov. 15 to avoid rumors and "threats of disclosure."
Cipel worked as campaign aide for McGreevey during his election campaign and
then in early 2002 took a $110,000-a-year job as New Jersey's homeland security
adviser.
But Cipel stepped down after questions about his credentials -- he served as a
lieutenant on an Israeli naval gunboat during his compulsory army service -- and
about how a foreigner without security clearance could be an effective security
adviser.
Cipel denied being gay and trying to blackmail McGreevey in an interview he gave
to Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth daily on Sunday.
"While in the employ of one of the most powerful politicians in the state, I was
the victim of repeated attempts by him to exploit me sexually ... He came on to
me again and again, to the point where I was afraid to be alone with him," he
said.
McGreevey, 47, took office in January 2002. His
four-year term will be completed by Democrat Richard Codey, the current
president of the New Jersey state senate.
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