‘I Didn’t Believe Her’: Rep. Morelle Forced to Answer for Past Remarks on Abuse Case

In 2001, a New York State Assembly staffer accused counsel Michael Boxley of s—---- assaulting her. At the time, Democratic Representative Joseph Morelle, who was serving as a member of the assembly, dismissed the accusations and sided with Boxley.

Now, more than two decades later, Morelle has admitted that he made a mistake. The victim, Elizabeth Crothers, was working for the Chief of Staff for a Republican Assemblyman in 2001 when Boxley allegedly assaulted her. Boxley was then the top counsel to the Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

At the time, an internal investigation by the Assembly cleared Boxley of all accusations. Meanwhile, Morelle, who was friends with Boxley, told a reporter that he did not believe in Crothers’ allegations.

Now that Crothers has filed a lawsuit against the Assembly and the State of New York, citing negligence and institutional betrayal, Morelle has confessed that he was wrong to dismiss Crothers. In a sworn statement, the politician told the court, “When the allegation was made, I did not know Ms. Crothers, and do not believe I had ever met or spoken with her.”

“Shortly after speaking with Boxley, a reporter for a local news outlet approached me and asked me my thoughts were regarding the rape allegations made by Ms. Crothers against Mr. Boxley. I responded that ‘I absolutely don’t believe a word of it,' Morelle added.

When Boxley was cleared of accusations by the Assembly, Crothers alleged that Speaker Silver used his influence to protect him. Two years later, another staffer, Rikki Shaw, also accused Boxley of s—-- assault. This time around, Boxley settled the case by pleading guilty to s—-- misconduct, a misdemeanor. This led to public outcry over why Crothers' complaint was dismissed.

Morelle has now said that he had already apologized to Crothers in 2018 and accepted his lapse in judgment. “Many years later, in 2018, I publicly apologized to Elizabeth Crothers for making that statement in 2001. I recognized that my 2001 statement was insensitive and made without full knowledge of the facts,” the rep stated.

Morelle says his thoughts have changed over time, and he has become increasingly sensitive towards women who complain of abuse. “My statement in 2001 was intended to be supportive of Michael Boxley. I am aware that on December 22, 2003, Michael Boxley pled guilty to criminal charges and admitted in open court to having sexual intercourse with a 22-year-old Assembly without her consent,” he said in his affidavit.

Crothers filed the civil lawsuit in 2023. In 2025, she received support from Shaw, who publicly came forward to address the abuse allegations against Boxley. The trial is set to begin on August 24. Meanwhile, the Office of the Attorney General, representing New York State, has filed a motion arguing that the state cannot be held liable for the actions of individuals from decades ago.