Jon Campbell, Joseph Spector, and Meaghan M. McDermott report in the Poughkeepsie Journal that eight women who spoke on the record with the USA Today Network in New York have made sexual-harassment allegations against Robert Freeman, who was fired June 24 from leading the state Committee on Open Government after another allegation. A reporter filed an official complaint with the state accusing Freeman of touching the small of her back and her buttocks, and kissing the side of her face that led to his firing. The eight other women share similar stories. Freeman would ask personal questions in a professional setting, attempt to get alone with the women, and then would touch them inappropriately, and without consent. "He starts it casually so it feels friendly," said Erica Vladimer, a former state Senate fellow. "'Let’s go on walks.' He loved to go on these walks. And I’ve talked to multiple people who went on those same walks with him. And then all of a sudden, it’s this slow creeping of a hug that lasts just too long or he is letting you walk through a door before he does and his hand is suddenly on the small of your back." Freeman, since 1976, advocated for transparent government, and advised reporters on open government laws. Freeman has not talked to the media since he was fired. But in sworn testimony, he admitted to kissing Aisha Powell, The Journal News/lohud.com reporter whose complaint led to his firing, as well as sending sexually suggestive emails with a woman he met at Syracuse University, according to the Inspector General's office.