Jon Campbell is reporting for lohud [dot] com Robert Freeman, the former director of the state Committee on Open Government, will pay a $15,000 fine to settle claims resulting from his routine sexual harassment of women while on the job. The state Joint Commission on Public Ethics finalized the agreement September 9, with Freeman, a nationally recognized public-records expert. He was abruptly fired from his state job in June 2019, after holding the post for more than 40 years. Freeman, 73, admitted his conduct toward women, as well as using his state-issued computer to view sexual images, violated state Public Officers Law. The agreement, signed by Freeman on September 1, identified his conduct in general terms, acknowledging "sexually inappropriate conduct toward women" without getting into specifics. Freeman served as a state-paid ombudsman offering advice on navigating the state's Freedom of Information and Open Meetings laws, which grant the public rights to access many government documents and meetings. Aisha Powell, a reporter formerly with The Journal News/lohud.com, was one of eight women who went on the record about Freeman's predatory behavior. Powell said Wednesday she was hoping Freeman would face a more substantial fine. She also said she takes issue with Freeman collecting a state pension, which is protected under state law. But Powell said she is pleased that Freeman is no longer in a position where he can abuse his power. Read the full story at lohud [dot] com.