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In New York Attorney General [[Letitia James]]'s independent investigation of allegations of sexual harassment by Cuomo, released in August 2021, David was found not to have broken the law. His role in providing, as former chief counsel, the personnel files of former Cuomo advisor [[Lindsey Boylan]] to the governor's office, was leaked by an unknown source to the press in an attempt to discredit her, is discussed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/prominent-lgbtq-leaders-face-increased-scrutiny-cuomo-report-rcna1633 |title=Prominent LGBTQ leaders face increased scrutiny after Cuomo report |date=August 9, 2021 |last=Yurcaba |first=Jo |website=[[NBC News]] |access-date=August 18, 2021}}</ref> The letter was never released. Davis has continued to deny any wrongdoing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/cuomo-harassment-allegations--advocacy-groups/2021/08/04/57103eee-f51f-11eb-9738-8395ec2a44e7_story.html|title=How Cuomo's office sought help from prominent liberal advocates as it pushed to discredit an accuser|access-date=August 5, 2021|website=Washington Post|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/08/06/1025454941/cuomo-scandal-entangles-leader-of-influential-lgbtq-advocacy-group |title=Cuomo Scandal Entangles Leader Of Influential LGBTQ Advocacy Group |date=August 6, 2021 |last=Dreisbach |first=Tom |website=[[NPR]] |access-date=August 18, 2021}}</ref>
In New York Attorney General [[Letitia James]]'s independent investigation of allegations of sexual harassment by Cuomo, released in August 2021, David was found not to have broken the law. His role in providing, as former chief counsel, the personnel files of former Cuomo advisor [[Lindsey Boylan]] to the governor's office, was leaked by an unknown source to the press in an attempt to discredit her, is discussed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/prominent-lgbtq-leaders-face-increased-scrutiny-cuomo-report-rcna1633 |title=Prominent LGBTQ leaders face increased scrutiny after Cuomo report |date=August 9, 2021 |last=Yurcaba |first=Jo |website=[[NBC News]] |access-date=August 18, 2021}}</ref> The letter was never released. Davis has continued to deny any wrongdoing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/cuomo-harassment-allegations--advocacy-groups/2021/08/04/57103eee-f51f-11eb-9738-8395ec2a44e7_story.html|title=How Cuomo's office sought help from prominent liberal advocates as it pushed to discredit an accuser|access-date=August 5, 2021|website=Washington Post|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/08/06/1025454941/cuomo-scandal-entangles-leader-of-influential-lgbtq-advocacy-group |title=Cuomo Scandal Entangles Leader Of Influential LGBTQ Advocacy Group |date=August 6, 2021 |last=Dreisbach |first=Tom |website=[[NPR]] |access-date=August 18, 2021}}</ref>


In August 2021, he received public backlash after it was revealed his role in the investigations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/08/roberta-kaplan-quits-times-up-after-defending-cuomo.html |title=Time's Up Boss Resigns After Being Caught in Cuomo Effort to Smear Accuser |date=August 9, 2021 |last=Prater |first=Nia |website=[[Intelligencer (website)|Intelligencer]] |access-date=August 18, 2021}}</ref> against women accusing [[Governor of New York|New York Governor]] [[Andrew Cuomo]] of sexual harassment and assault. In a report released by [[Attorney General of New York|New York Attorney General]] [[Letitia James]], it was revealed that David assisted in the drafting of a disparaging op-ed that ultimately was not published as well as aiding in the release of private personnel files of the accusers.<ref>{{cite news|last=Evers-Hillstrom|first=Karl|date=August 4, 2021|title=Human Rights Campaign president allegedly helped leak personnel file of Cuomo accuser|work=The Hill|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/566399-human-rigths-campaign-president-drawn-into-cuomo-controversy|access-date=August 5, 2021}}</ref>
In August 2021, he received public backlash after it was revealed his role in the investigations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/08/roberta-kaplan-quits-times-up-after-defending-cuomo.html |title=Time's Up Boss Resigns After Being Caught in Cuomo Effort to Smear Accuser |date=August 9, 2021 |last=Prater |first=Nia |website=[[Intelligencer (website)|Intelligencer]] |access-date=August 18, 2021}}</ref> against women accusing [[Governor of New York|New York Governor]] [[Andrew Cuomo]] of sexual harassment and assault. In a report released by [[Attorney General of New York|New York Attorney General]] [[Letitia James]], it was revealed that David assisted in the drafting of a controversial op-ed that ultimately was not published.<ref>{{cite news|last=Evers-Hillstrom|first=Karl|date=August 4, 2021|title=Human Rights Campaign president allegedly helped leak personnel file of Cuomo accuser|work=The Hill|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/566399-human-rigths-campaign-president-drawn-into-cuomo-controversy|access-date=August 5, 2021}}</ref>


=== President of the Human Rights Campaign ===
=== President of the Human Rights Campaign ===

Revision as of 21:17, 3 February 2022

Alphonso David
David in 2019
President of the Human Rights Campaign
In office
August 2019 – September 6, 2021
Preceded byChad Griffin
Succeeded byJoni Madison (acting)
Personal details
Born1971 (age 52–53)
Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
RelativesWilliam Tolbert (great-uncle)
EducationUniversity of Maryland, College Park (BA)
Temple University (JD)

Alphonso David (born 1970) is an American civil rights lawyer, LGBT activist,[1] and former president of the Human Rights Campaign.[2]

Early life

David, who is of African American heritage, was born in Silver Spring, Maryland. His family moved to Monrovia, Liberia, when he was one year old. In 1977, David's father was elected mayor of his city while his great uncle William Tolbert was President of Liberia.[3] In 1980 during a military coup, David's uncle was assassinated and his father was incarcerated. His family lived under house arrest for 18 months and sought political asylum in the United States when he was 10 years old.[4]

Education

David graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park[5] in 1992 and Temple University Law School in 2000. While at Temple, David was a member of the University's national trial team and the Political and Civil Rights Law Review.[6]

Career & Accomplishments

Early career

After graduation David worked as a judicial law clerk for the Clifford Scott Green, a Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania known for issuing a decision finding racial discrimination in the Philadelphia Police Department.

Next, David joined Blank Rome LLP, a national law firm based in Philadelphia, to work as a litigation associate. He also got heavily involved in pro bono work, such as helping victims of domestic violence.[7]

Civil rights litigation

David served as a staff attorney at the Lambda Legal Defense and Educational Fund from 2004–2007.[8] He worked on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender-centered cases around the country involving issues like HIV, employment and housing accommodations.[3] David worked on New York's first marriage equality case, Hernandez v. Robles. They won at the trial court but lost on appeal.[9] After three years with Lambda Legal, he joined Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's Office as Bureau Chief for Civil Rights where he managed and prosecuted cases statewide ranging from deceptive business practices to immigration fraud[10][11]

Counsel to New York Governor Cuomo

David served for four years in the Governor's cabinet as the Deputy Secretary and Counsel for Civil Rights, the first position of its kind in New York State. In this capacity, he was responsible for a full range of legal, policy, legislative and operational matters affecting civil rights and labor throughout the State.[12]

In 2015, David was appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo to serve as Counsel to the Governor. In this role, he functioned as the Governor's chief counsel and principal legal advisor, and oversaw all significant legal and policy deliberations affecting New York State, including evaluating proposed legislation; implementing laws and policies and formulating the State's posture in both affirmative and defensive litigation.[12]

During this tenure in the Governor's Office, David worked on landmark legislation and policy including the Marriage Equality Act, which removed legal barriers permitting same-sex couples to marry, the Workers Compensation Reform Act, which modernized key components of the program to ensure greater accountability and functionality,  the Paid Family Leave Act, which ensures individuals leave to care for a sick family member, and the Minority and Women Business Program, which expanded contracting opportunities for MWBEs throughout the state.[13][14]

In New York Attorney General Letitia James's independent investigation of allegations of sexual harassment by Cuomo, released in August 2021, David was found not to have broken the law. His role in providing, as former chief counsel, the personnel files of former Cuomo advisor Lindsey Boylan to the governor's office, was leaked by an unknown source to the press in an attempt to discredit her, is discussed.[15] The letter was never released. Davis has continued to deny any wrongdoing.[16][17]

In August 2021, he received public backlash after it was revealed his role in the investigations.[18] against women accusing New York Governor Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment and assault. In a report released by New York Attorney General Letitia James, it was revealed that David assisted in the drafting of a controversial op-ed that ultimately was not published.[19]

President of the Human Rights Campaign

A blue background with yellow equality sign, the HRC logo
Human Rights Campaign logo

After 12 years with the New York state government, David became president of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). A report released in August 2021 following an independent investigation led by New York Attorney General Letitia "Tish" James described David's efforts to cover up sexual harassment claims against Governor Andrew Cuomo and undermine the credibility of accusers.[20] At the same time HRC vowed to stand behind David, they announced they had renewed his employment contract. On September 6, 2021, David was fired as president of HRC after David refused the board's demand that he resign. HRC reneged on a promise to release an independent investigation file on David's tenure.[21] In February 2022, David filed a lawsuit against the HRC, alleging racial and systemic discrimination, and malfeasance on the part of HRC board members. At the same time David's lawsuit was announced, two former HRC employees, both people of color, came forward with substantiating allegations of racial discrimination, inequtiy and turmoil inside the organization.[22]

Personal life

David has worked as an Adjunct Professor of Law.[8] He is openly gay.[23][8] He cites James Baldwin as his LGBT+ hero for "daring to dream big and beyond the limitations others placed on him."[9]

Awards and honors

In May 2017, David received the Public Servant of the Year Award from the Metropolitan Black Bar Association for his advocacy.[24][25] In February 2018, the Asian American Bar Association bestowed its public service award on David. In September 2019, David received a public appreciation recognition from the Chief Judge of New York State, on behalf of the Indigent Legal Services Board, for his "extraordinary contributions to improving the quality of mandated representation in New York State.[26] In June 2020, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the first LGBTQ Pride parade, Queerty named him among the fifty heroes "leading the nation toward equality, acceptance, and dignity for all people".[27][28]

References

  1. ^ State, City & (June 30, 2019). "The 2019 Pride Power 100". City & State NY. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  2. ^ "Human Rights Campaign taps Alphonso David as next president". Washington Blade: Gay News, Politics, LGBT Rights. June 25, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Politics is in Alphonso David's blood whether he likes it or not". amsterdamnews.com. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  4. ^ "The third-most-powerful person in Cuomo's office". Crain's New York Business. May 24, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  5. ^ Crary, David. "University of Maryland alumnus Alphonso David to head Human Rights Campaign, a major LGBTQ-rights group". baltimoresun.com.
  6. ^ "Alphonso David". Retrieved October 1, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ robert.harding@lee.net, Robert Harding. "Alphonso David, counsel to Cuomo, leaving to lead Human Rights Campaign". Auburn Citizen.
  8. ^ a b c "Alphonso David". HRC.
  9. ^ a b "Alphonso David | Out Leadership". July 16, 2018.
  10. ^ "Immigration Consultants Under Investigation for Cheating Haitians | WNYC | New York Public Radio, Podcasts, Live Streaming Radio, News". WNYC. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  11. ^ "Petitioners against Arbitron Inc" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on November 22, 2014. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  12. ^ a b "Alphonso David". cardozo.yu.edu. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
  13. ^ "What Happened Next in New York". www.advocate.com. October 17, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  14. ^ "Alphonso David | Out Leadership". July 16, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  15. ^ Yurcaba, Jo (August 9, 2021). "Prominent LGBTQ leaders face increased scrutiny after Cuomo report". NBC News. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  16. ^ "How Cuomo's office sought help from prominent liberal advocates as it pushed to discredit an accuser". Washington Post. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  17. ^ Dreisbach, Tom (August 6, 2021). "Cuomo Scandal Entangles Leader Of Influential LGBTQ Advocacy Group". NPR. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  18. ^ Prater, Nia (August 9, 2021). "Time's Up Boss Resigns After Being Caught in Cuomo Effort to Smear Accuser". Intelligencer. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  19. ^ Evers-Hillstrom, Karl (August 4, 2021). "Human Rights Campaign president allegedly helped leak personnel file of Cuomo accuser". The Hill. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  20. ^ "How Cuomo's office sought help from prominent liberal advocates as it pushed to discredit an accuser". Washington Post. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  21. ^ Haberman, Maggie (September 6, 2021). "Alphonso David, Who Advised Cuomo, Fired as Human Rights Campaign President". The New York Times. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  22. ^ https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/02/03/human-rights-campaign-lawsuit/
  23. ^ Brown, Jennifer (August 4, 2017). "Alphonso David: From Immigrant to The Third Most Powerful Man in New York State". Jennifer Brown Speaks. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  24. ^ "Alphonso B. David | Metropolitan Black Bar Association". Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  25. ^ "Metropolitan Black Bar Association honors Judge Kuntz during awards gala". Brooklyn Eagle. May 25, 2017. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  26. ^ https://ils.ny.gov/files/ILS%20Board/Alphonso%20David%20%20Public%20Appreciation%20092019.pdf[dead link‍]
  27. ^ "Queerty Pride50 2020 Honorees". Queerty. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  28. ^ "9 queer political figures creating a more perfect union this election year". Queerty. July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
Human Rights Campaign
Preceded by President of the Human Rights Campaign
2019–2021 		Succeeded by
Joni Madison
Acting
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