N.J. official’s rape allegation could change state law

Should the Murphy administration have done more in response to Katie Brennan's allegation that a campaign staffer assaulted her? N.J. legislative committee says yes.

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In December 2018, Katie Brennan, the chief of staff at the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, raises her hand as she is sworn in to testify before the Select Oversight Committee at the Statehouse in Trenton, N.J. (Mel Evans/AP Photo)

In December 2018, Katie Brennan, the chief of staff at the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, raises her hand as she is sworn in to testify before the Select Oversight Committee at the Statehouse in Trenton, N.J. (Mel Evans/AP Photo)

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Katie Brennan says she was raped by a member of N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy’s campaign staff in 2017. She reported the alleged assault to the police, members of the campaign, transition team, and eventually, the governor’s staff, but the man she accused of attacking her didn’t face charges and was later hired by the Murphy administration. WHYY reporter Joe Hernandez explains why Brennan’s case could now bring about some changes in state law.

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