ALBANY – An attorney for an Assemblyman accused of sexual harassment has asked the designated hearing officer—retired Court of Appeals Judge Howard Levine—to recuse himself because the firm where Levine works is a major player in Albany politics and lobbying.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, had designated Levine as the hearing officer for Assemblyman Micah Kellner, D- Manhattan, who is awaiting a hearing on charges he sexually harassed a staffer.