Testifying this afternoon before the Select Committee on Investigation, Chief of Staff Peter Cammarano said when Justin Braz went to him to tell him about Katie Brennan’s accusation against Al Alvarez, “It was my understanding that the victim had not authorized its disclosure.”

She had, Braz told the committee earlier today.

That was a conversation that occurred approximately on Dec. 1st, 2017, during the transition phase of government.

Alvarez was part of the transition team and by all appearances on his way into the Murphy Administration.

“Justin said that someone with the transition had accused Mr. Alvarez of sexually assaulted her,” said Cammarano. “He said that Mr. Alvarez might be arrested and that he thought the transition should know.”

Braz didn’t share the name of the accuser, the COS said.

Either that day or the next day, Cammarano said, Braz went back to him and said he had no information: Alvarez, in fact, would not be charged by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office.

A subsequent background check on Alvarez “came back clean,” said Cammarano.

He also said “to the best of his knowledge” Governor Phil Murphy “had no knowledge” of Katie Brennan’s accusation against Alvarez.

“Prior to The Wall Street Journal‘s inquiries in October 2018, at no time did I speak to the Governor concerning the allegations against Mr. Alvarez,” Cammarano told the committee.

“To the best of my knowledge,” he added, “no one ever told the Governor.”

Cammarano said he was present with the governor and first lady in October when they learned of the accusations against Alvarez in the wake of The Wall Street Journal story.

“They both were blindsided and completely shocked,” said the Murphy COS.