Woman who accused Monroe County legislator of sending nude picture suing

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — A Monroe County legislator and county officials are at the center of a lawsuit.

Lakaya Sinclair was 19 years old when she filed a complaint against Ernest Flagler-Mitchell and Monroe County as his employer.

She said they first met after the Pennsylvania Avenue mass shooting in September of 2020 and after a series of Facebook messages, Flagler-Mitchell sent a nude picture of himself to Sinclair.

Sinclair held a press conference about the lawsuit on Tuesday.

"I went to the authorities, I stood here six months ago, asking for his resignation and asking for the support of Monroe County," Sinclair said. "I did not receive that. They did nothing. They changed no laws. They did not change their code of ethics. They did not press charges. They didn’t even censure him."

She said she feels she was used as a political pawn and was swept under the rug, but she says she will not be ignored.

The suit is for $1 million alleging damages to Sinclair’s mental health and reputation.

"Today we are bringing this suit to make those who are in power responsible and push for change," Sinclair said. "We demand justice. We demand change. We demand you to do your job correctly, what you were elected to do."

Flagler-Mitchell has stated that he apologized to Sinclair in the past and that she accepted his apology.

He has maintained that the photo was meant for his wife, but Flagler-Mitchell is facing a total of 13 allegations of harassment and inappropriate behavior from women who say he used his political power for sex.

Back in June, two democratic lawmakers tried to censure Flagler-Mitchell and reform county ethics. Those items were voted down 20 to seven.

Flagler-Mitchell stepped down as leader of the Black and Asian Democratic Caucus, but he never resigned. He did not win re-election, so this will be his last term.

A spokesperson for Monroe County Tuesday simply said, "The county cannot comment on pending litigation."

Flagler-Mitchell also said he does not have a comment at this time.