The New York Times has discovered that Kevin O’Brien, Governor Steve Bullock’s top political advisor and former campaign manager was “quietly ousted” from his job with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio over sexual harassment claims in 2018.
Mr. O’Brien has been a key advisor to Mr. Bullock since he was elected Attorney General in 2008. O’Brien was the campaign manager for Mr. Bullock during the 2012 Election Cycle, becoming his Deputy Chief of Staff after Mr. Bullock was elected. When Mr. Bullock was chosen as Chairman of the Democrat Governors Association, he tapped O’Brien to serve as senior advisor for the group. O’Brien also served as a senior advisor to Bullocks successful 2016 campaign.
Since being fired by Mayor de Blasio, Mr. O’Brien has worked for Hilltop Public Solutions, a Democratic consulting firm that works for Mr. Bullock’s Presidential exploratory effort, Big Sky Values PAC.
According to the Times: “Investigators conducted interviews with the two women and Mr. O’Brien, according to a report prepared by the city’s Law Department and the office of the mayor’s counsel. The investigators said that Mr. O’Brien’s account was found “to be not credible,” and recommended that he be “terminated from employment at the mayor’s office.”
In a written statement, Mr. O’Brien, who is married, blamed his actions on alcohol. The Times also noted that a Hilltop spokesman said Mr. O’Brien had taken a leave of absence from the company this week.
It is unclear if Hilltop or Mr. O’Brien will continue advising Governor Bullock as he evaluates the 2020 Presidential race.