Ottawa Senators' assistant GM Randy Lee Resigns Amid Harassment Charges

Randy Lee, the assistant general manager for the Ottawa Senators has resigned amid harassment charged. Lee was on suspension by the Senators while the charges against him made their way through due process. However, Lee opted to resign on Tuesday.

The announcement of Lee’s resignation was made by the Ottawa Senators early Tuesday evening in a short release to the press. The charges stem from accusations that Lee rubbed the shoulders and made inappropriate comments that were lewd towards a teenage male shuttle driver while attending this springs NHL’s pre-draft scouting in Buffalo.

The shake-up has impacted the Senators organisation as well as its American Hockey League team as Lee serves in the assistant GM role with the AHL team. State prosecutors allege that Lee was told to stop touching the driver but continued to do so going as far as to make references relating to his genitals.

Lee, aged 56, released a statement that said he no longer was in a position that would allow him to continue his responsibilities to the Senators while the case is before the courts. Lee’s lawyer is trying to have all charges dismissed and when appearing, pleaded not guilty.

Initially, the Senators did not suspend Lee but instead chose to wait several weeks after the charges were filed. In a statement to the press, Pierre Dorio, general manager of the Senators said,

“We felt we made the right decision with Randy Lee. In 23 years with the organization, there’s never been an incident recorded. It’s an on-going process. Randy will have his due process, and from there we will re-evaluate.”

Randy Lee resigns: https://t.co/ljoEOoQLYl

Randy Lee démissionne : https://t.co/RjIFo2j0lg

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) August 21, 2018

Lee was expected to appear in court in Buffalo on Wednesday to argue the motions against him, however, that appearance has been re-scheduled until September 13th. His attorney, Paul Cambria, spoke to The Associated Press and said,

“We’re just waiting on the judge to rule on the motion to have the case dismissed.”

The Associated Press also spoke with the shuttle driver’s attorney, Charles Desmond, about Lee’s resignation. Desmond stated,

“”The (Senators) organization is doing the right thing to protect the public, its employees and other individuals who can be subjected to his actions.”

The Ottawa Senators had hoped to reach the Stanley Cup final in 2017, but since that goal, there have been a number of issues that seemed to bring negative attention to the franchise. This included franchise owner, Eugene Melnyk threatening that he would move the team just before the NHL outdoor game in December.

Also, Erik Karlsson wife (Monika Caryk) made claims that Mike Hoffman, a former teammate of Karlsson had cyber-bullied the couple. Those allegations were denied by Hoffman, who no longer is with the Senators after being traded to the Florida Panthers. The Senators also saw its most popular player in its history, Daniel Alfredsson, stating that he hoped the team would be sold to ensure the Senators remain in Ottawa.

After his resignation was made public, Lee issued a statement to popular the television sports network, TSN that read the following:

“My hearing in Buffalo has been postponed until Sept. 13. While my case continues to be reviewed by the courts, I do wish to address my future with the Senators. My suspension has given me more time to spend with my loved ones than ever before. For the past 23 years, my family has taken a back seat to my career. My focus is now on putting them first.

At that same time, I have to think about my obligations to the hockey team. They need an assistant general manager who can focus completely on the coming season. Until this matter is behind me, however, I’m not in a position to that.

For this reason – in consultation with the Ottawa Senators and my family – I have chosen to resign as assistant general manager of the Ottawa Senators and general manager of the Belleville Senators”