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Facing Lawsuit, Activist Kat Sullivan Sues JCOPE

JCOPE seal
Jcope.ny.gov

Kat Sullivan is an activist who has recently stepped back into the spotlight. Sullivan settled with the Emma Willard School in Troy in 2016 after alleging that she was sexually abused by a teacher when she was a student at the private girls’ high school in the 90s.

Since reaching a settlement with the school, Sullivan has spoken out about other issues. In support of the Child Victims Act, a New York law that offers a one-year lookback window for victims of child sexual abuse to sue abusers regardless of how much time has passed, she paid for billboards and flew a banner over the state capitol.

The sky banner has returned as she now battles JCOPE – the state’s Joint Commission on Public Ethics.

JCOPE is accusing Sullivan of failing to register as a lobbyist. Sullivan counter-sued, and says that JCOPE is violating her right to free speech.

WAMC's Lucas Willard spoke with Sullivan Friday afternoon, who began by explaining why she became an activist.

The office of Troy Mayor Patrick Madden and JCOPE chose not to comment, citing ongoing litigation. The Emma Willard School did not return a request for comment in time for Saturday's original broadcast.

Lucas Willard is a reporter and host at WAMC Northeast Public Radio, which he joined in 2011.
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