The Latest: Gov: Probe of assault claim shows ‘hard truths’

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy says a probe he ordered into how his administration dealt with sexual assault allegations revealed “hard truths” and that he agrees with the “corrective actions” it recommends.

The first-term Democrat responded to former Supreme Court Justice Peter Verniero’s report on Wednesday. Murphy also says that he wishes his staff had told him earlier about the allegations made by Katie Brennan against Albert Alvarez. Murphy says he didn’t learn about them until October when a Wall Street Journal report on the allegations was about to come out. Brennan is chief of staff of the state’s housing finance agency. She says Alvarez assaulted her in 2017 while they worked to get Murphy elected. Alvarez served as chief of staff at the Schools Development Authority until October, when the allegations emerged. He denies the claims.