Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Embattled Buffalo School Board member Lewis (Muki) Hawkins says he was blindsided by allegations that he and now-former Superintendent Dr. Pascal Mubenga are accused in a legal notice of claim that they allegedly sexually and personally harassed a female school district employee.
Hawkins says, despite the call from some - including at least one of his fellow School Board members - he is not resigning and will fight the allegations.
In the notice of claim filed on July 16, both Mubenga and Hawkins were named in very graphic and descriptive allegations of sexual and personal harassment of a female employee in the district's administrative offices.
The allegations against Mubenga is believed to be a central factor in his abrupt July 13 resignation.
"The superintendent will have to answer those [allegations] himself," Hawkins said in an exclusive interview with WBEN.
As for Hawkins, he admits to being "caught off guard" by the allegations.
"I didn't see that coming," Hawkins said.
Since late May, there have been reports that an unnamed school board member was at the center of allegations that focused on sexual harassment of a district employee.
The school board hired the Hodgson Russ law firm to handle the investigation.
Until the notice of claim was filed, no school board member was identified.
"I can only control what I can control," Hawkins said. "This is where God asked me to be."
Hawkins said he respects the investigative process.
"I will answer any question," Hawkins said.
Hawkins said he is not deviating from his goal of making the district academically stronger for its 28,000-plus students.
A former teacher, Hawkins said education and academics should be the priority.
"The focus should be on the kids," Hawkins said.
The embattled Buffalo School Board member claims innocence, adding he will not resign from his post
The embattled Buffalo School Board member claims innocence, adding he will not resign from his post
