By TERRENCE DOPP, The Express-Times, nj.com from the Web, January 29, 2003

TRENTON -- As Republican stalwart Chuck Haytaian announced his Assembly candidacy Tuesday,Democrats and feminists rehashed a publicly funded $345,000 settlement in a 1996 sexual harassment suit.

Haytaian, 65, a past Assembly speaker and chairman of the state GOP, announced Tuesday he plans to seek the seat.

"He still owes a debt to the taxpayers of New Jersey and an explanation, particularly to the women of New Jersey," said Assemblywoman Loretta Weinberg, a Bergen County Democrat. "We are asking him to be accountable for the actions which took place."

Weinberg called for Haytaian to place $345,000 in a sexual harassment education account. She and other lawmakers plan to introduce a three-bill package later this week preventing such settlements in the future.

In a 1997 out-of-court settlement, state officials paid $175,000 to a former Haytaian employee to drop the suit, which accused him of groping her against her will. State leaders also paid $170,000 for Haytaian's legal defense.

The settlement, which took place under the direction of then attorney general and now Supreme Court Justice Peter Veniero, absolved Haytaian of guilt. While Weinberg, trial lawyers and the state director of the National Organization of Women said the matter was never investigated thoroughly, Haytaian dismissed it.

"I'm not running against Loretta Weinberg," Haytaian said during a statehouse announcement attended by his family, Warren County GOP Chairman Walter Orcutt and Freeholder John DiMaio.

"Where has she been the past six years I've been retired. It's just the resurrection of an old story. It's all political."

The matter was never fully investigated, prompting Democrats to call for the State Commission on Investigation to conduct an inquiry.

The two seats in the 23rd District -- spanning Warren and Hunterdon counties -- are held by incumbents Michael Doherty and Connie Myers. Warren County GOP leaders have said they plan to oust Doherty.