BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — 7 News has confirmed a second sexual harassment complaint is being filed against Buffalo School Board member Muki Hawkins.
@wkbw 7 News confirmed a second sexual harassment complaint has been filed against Buffalo School Board member Muki Hawkins. Attorney John Elmore tells me he filed a complaint earlier today. Elmore will release details on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/L8CNsErl4F
— Eileen Buckley (@eileenwkbw) August 4, 2026
The complaint accuses Hawkins of sexually harassing district administrator Arlene Adams and creating a hostile work environment. Her attorney says Hawkins repeatedly showed up unannounced at her office and suggested he could get her promoted.
"He returned several other times, made her feel very, very uncomfortable," attorney John Elmore explained.
The complaint says supervisors were aware of the behavior but took no action.
"Women on the eighth floor were so concerned about their own safety and welfare that they had an SOS system where, if he showed up, that other women would come to the office and try to, you know, get them to leave or show that, you know, to protect each other," Elmore said.
Park District Board member Erik Bohen responded to the allegations.
"These allegations need to be taken very, very seriously," Bohen said. "And if an employee does not feel safe...that's a red flag...and if these allegations turn out to be true...we ultimately — as a district — and as a board — have failed them."
I asked Bohen and At-Large School Board Member Larry Scott about Hawkins' future on the board. Board member Larry Scott deferred the question.
"I think that's a question for the board president, and it's something that she needs to answer. She needs," Scott replied.
Bohen stopped short of calling for Hawkins to step down.
"I believe that board member Hawkins needs to look deeply at what the best interest for this district is," Bohen remarked.
WATCH: Second sexual harassment complaint filed against Buffalo School Board member
Scott called on the public and community leaders to apply pressure.
"I'm urging the public to make some more noise. And I some community leaders need to step forward," Scott said.
Mayor Sean Ryan said the school board is in disarray and called for a swift investigation.
"I want to know the timeline on the investigation...they've got to open that investigation...do it quick and get it closed down...this can't linger past the start of the school," Ryan stated.
Hawkins has not responded to our request for comment. The school board president issued the following statement to 7 News:
"The notice of claim received by the District this week that relates to a Board member will be the subject of an independent investigation, and the Board will look forward to receiving the results of that investigation, consistent with its legal authority and responsibility. The Board cannot provide further detail consistent with best practices. The Board has taken such allegations seriously and will provide further comment at the appropriate time."
President Dr. Kathy Evans-Brown
President of the Buffalo Teachers Federation, Rich Nigro, released the following statement to 7 News:
"In mid-July, claims of sexual harassment against board member Hawkins were finally made public. Last night, less than three weeks later, a second notice of claim was filed by a different district employee alleging sexual harassment against board member Hawkins. To say that public trust, faith, and confidence in this board’s ability to self-govern and lead is held together by a thread would be a generous assessment.
Despite pleas for from BTF and other union leaders, parent group leaders, community leaders, local and state political leaders, Commissioner of Education Betty Rosa, and most recently, Attorney General Leticia James, this Board of Education, under the leadership of Dr. Kathy Evans-Brown, seems to operate with impunity and hold itself to a different standard.
The board continues to avoid answering relevant and important questions. Did board member Hawkins participate in the vote to select the law firm investigating the claims against him? Every district employee must take the annual harassment policy training. Does the Board also take this training? What protections has the District and Board taken to ensure a harassment-free work environment? In what ways has the Council of Great City Schools, an organization that allegedly provides leadership support to the board to the tune of roughly $85k per year, helped improve board self-governance?
For all of the reasons above, for the betterment of the Buffalo Board of Education and the BPS District, repairing and rebuilding public trust in this Board and the District begin with board member Hawkins being placed on administrative leave, resigning, or removed from this board."
In July, former Buffalo Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Pascal Mubenga and Hawkins were accused of sexual harassment, according to a Notice of Claim filed by the Florestal Law Firm.
According to the claim, Mubenga and Hawkins allegedly made "unwanted sexual advances" toward the District's Chief Equity & Governance Officer, Antoinette Amos.
Hawkins was also accused of sexual harassment on multiple occasions, dating back to February 2026 and as recently as June 2026, according to the claim. Hawkins remains on the board.
WATCH: Former Buffalo Public Schools Superintendent and current board member accused of sexual harassment
The school district did release a statement saying that the district does not comment on potential or pending litigation.
