NYC human rights officials ‘closely monitoring’ allegations against owner of gay bar

NBC News previously reported that Michael J. Cohen was accused of unwanted sexual conduct and discrimination. Cohen’s attorney said he is not under investigation.

New York City’s Commission on Human Rights says it is “closely monitoring” allegations of sexual misconduct and racial discrimination against Michael J. Cohen, who was long a gatekeeper in the city’s gay nightlife scene. 

NBC News reported last month that nine men had accused Cohen of a range of unwanted sexual conduct, including accusations that he groped or pressured men to have sex or to send nude photos. In addition, NBC News reported that eight people had accused Cohen or staff members of Motel 23, the New York gay bar Cohen owns, of treating some men of color and women differently from white men, including charging them more to enter. Cohen denied the accusations of misconduct and discrimination.

“The Commission is aware of these allegations, as they have been raised by internal and external sources,” Jose Rios Lua, the executive director of communications and marketing at the Commission on Human Rights, said in an email. “We take every allegation seriously and are closely monitoring this issue.”

The closed location of Motel 23 in New York on Aug. 22, 2022.Marc J. Franklin / NBC NewsRios Lua confirmed in a phone interview that his statement encompassed all of the allegations against Cohen in NBC News’ reporting, as well as allegations NBC News reported about Motel 23 and other nightclubs where Cohen previously hosted parties. 

Rios Lua added in the email that he could not say whether the commission had opened an investigation. “We are unable to confirm or deny the existence of ongoing investigations as disclosure can interfere with the agency’s law enforcement mission,” he said. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/michael-cohen-motel-23-human-rights-commission-rcna49781

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