Governor Phil Murphy Administration Chief Counsel Matt Platkin said that while he wrestled at times about whether it was the right thing to do, he never told Murphy about Katie Brennan’s sexual assault allegations against Al Alvarez.

“At no time did I inform the governor of the allegations,” said Platkin in his opening statement.

He also noted that Alvarez stayed on his job at the schools development authority with the understanding that he would leave as soon as he found other employment. Platkin said he stayed on because as a father he is the caretaker of small children.