New York Attorney General And Ticketing Reform Advocate Eric Schneiderman Resigns Amid Assault Allegations

AP Photo – Eric Schneiderman

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, known nationally as a liberal champion and in the concert biz as a crusader against scalping and ticketing abuses, resigned from his position May 7 after several women accused him of assault. 

“While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the office’s work at this critical time,” Schneiderman, who has served as New York’s AG for 12 years, said in a statement. “I therefore resign my office, effective at the close of business on May 8, 2018.”

The resignation arrives after The New Yorker reported that Schneiderman allegedly assaulted four women. The story has already prompted an investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

Two women in the piece allege that Schneiderman repeatedly hit them and subjected them to nonconsensual physical violence, often while drunk, during the time they were dating. They said Schneiderman made threats that prevented them from seeking help from authorities sooner. 

The news a came as a shock to many, as Schneiderman is widely known as a champion of women for his outspoken advocacy of the #MeToo movement. As Attorney General he used his authority to file a civil rights lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein after dozens of women accused the disgraced film mogul of sexual assault. 

He has also made his name in the concert world for taking on scalpers and ticketing abuse. In 2016 he filed a report that questioned service fees and tackled holds and presales that drastically reduce the amount of tickets available to the general consumer. 

“Ticketing is a fixed game,” Schneiderman said in a statement at the time. “My office will continue to crack down on those who break our laws, prey on ordinary consumers, and deny New Yorkers affordable access to the concerts and sporting events they love. This investigation is just the beginning of our efforts to create a level playing field in the ticket industry.”

Last year he announced that his office has settled lawsuits with ticket resellers who used illegal bots to purchase thousands of tickets. The settlements forced the resellers to pay nearly $4.2 million in addition to ceasing the use of bots. 

New York’s solicitor general, Barbara Underwood, is replacing Schneiderman as the state’s attorney general.