In Brief

Staff Reports

Connecticut Governor Names Openly Gay Man As Chief Of Staff

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT -- Mark Ojakian, Deputy Budget Director for the state of Connecticut has been named to succeed Tim Bannon as Governor Dannel P. Malloy's new chief of staff. Speaking to reporters in a press conference Thursday making the announcement, the Democratic Governor said; "He knows that I have a reputation for working people pretty hard. He's been living it for a year now, and still, he took the job, which I think speaks volumes about his commitment to the people of Connecticut. I have no doubt that he is the right person for this job.''

When asked if he was wearing people out, Malloy who has a reputation for working non-stop long hours seven days a week, rarely taking time off, quipped; "I hope so. That's the plan. I don't ask anyone to work any harder than I do. … I would be disappointed if there is anyone around me who is not working hard.''

Stepping to the microphone, Ojakian said, "While it has been an incredibly challenging year — and it has been, I didn't think my hair could get any grayer, but it has over the last year — it has been an honor'' to serve in the administration.

He added, "We still face many challenges in the weeks, months, and years ahead'' on a wide variety of issues.

Known as "OJ'' inside the state Capitol, Ojakian has worked with all of the key players in the administration. Besides thanking members of Malloy's inner circle, Ojakian, 58, also thanked his husband, Jason Veretto of West Hartford, whom he introduced at the press conference.

Before Malloy took office, Ojakian served as deputy comptroller for 16 years under Nancy Wyman, who is now lieutenant governor.

"I probably would not be standing here today had it not been for her friendship and her ability to mentor me over 16 years,'' Ojakian said.

"You would have had more hair, too,'' Wyman responded.

"I would have a lot more hair,'' Ojakian quipped.

The pick by Malloy was viewed as a solid move to choose a loyal, longtime, trusted state employee.  ~ The Hartford Courant

Minnesota State Senate Majority Leader Who Led Push For Constitutional Ban On Same-Sex Marriage On 2012 Ballot forced to resign after allegations of extra-martial affair are raised

Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch 

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA-- Minnesota State Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch,(R) has resigned her post after Minnesota Senate staff recently brought up allegations of an “inappropriate relationship between Majority Leader Koch and a Senate staffer. Senator Koch, who is is married with one child, was one of the proponents of Minnesota's 2012 anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment ballot initiative.

During a news conference Friday in the State Capitol, Senator Geoff Michel,(R-Edina) told reporters that multiple staffers had reported to Senate leaders allegations of an “inappropriate relationship between Majority Leader Koch and a Senate staffer."We sit here with a lot of humility, sadness, and shock,” he said. Michel acknowledged that he had no personal knowledge of how long the relationship was ongoing for and that because of legal restrictions he would not discuss the name of the Senate staffer involved with the majority leader.

Michel told the gathered press corps that he would only specify that the alleged relationship was “inappropriate” a “conflict of interest” and created an “unstable work environment for staff.” On whether or not the relationship was sexual, Michel said "I think there's only two people who could fully characterize that,” however he indicated that Senate leadership never heard the word “sexual” used by the staffers when the allegations surfaced.

The night before Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch resigned her leadership post, she was confronted by her peers about allegations of an inappropriate relationship.

GOP senators met with Koch, R-Buffalo, Wednesday evening and confronted her, the senators said Friday. The allegations accuse her of an inappropriate relationship with a Senate staffer.

There were "multiple reports from staff" about the relationship, said Sen. Geoff Michel, R-Edina, in a press conference Friday afternoon called shortly after news of the relationship broke.

He didn't characterize the relationship, but it reportedly interfered with the Senate's work environment. He also did not name the staffer involved.

Michel has been named Interim Senate Majority Leader until a replacement an be elected.

When confronted, Koch neither admitted nor denied the allegations but mentioned resigning, Michel said.

Michel said nothing had been resolved before Koch's sudden resignation Thursday.Koch also has said she will not seek re-election in 2012.   ~ The St. Paul Pioneer Press