Robert Freeman, an attorney who's worked for more than four decades as the state's public information adviser for the press and public, was fired this week after an investigation found he acted in a sexually inappropriate manner toward a female reporter, according to a news report.

The Journal News, a newspaper from the New York City suburbs, reported Monday that one of its reporters had filed a complaint earlier this month against Freeman, who she alleged had sexually assaulted her during a visit to his office.

A spokesman for the state Department of State, which employed Freeman, confirmed that he was no longer working at the agency as of Monday.

Freeman was the executive director of the Committee on Open Government, a state-run office that provides guidance on matters of public information. He was often the go-to source for reporters who had questions about the state's Freedom of Information Law or other public information matters.

The complaint against Freeman was filed earlier this month by the Journal News reporter, who the newspaper declined to name. An investigation, thereafter, found “compelling evidence” that Freeman had acted in a “sexually inappropriate manner,” according to the newspaper.

The investigation was conducted by the state Inspector General's Office, which said that Freeman “admitted to many of the allegations,” according to the report.

Among those were claims that Freeman touched her waist and lower back; parted her braids from her face and placed them behind her shoulders; kissed her on the cheek while holding her hand; hugged her; and made gender- and racially based derogatory comments.

Those allegations are being reviewed by the Westchester County District Attorney's Office, according to the newspaper.

Separate from the reporter's complaint, Freeman was also found by the Inspector General's Office to have a “series of sexually suggestive email messages and photographic images” on his computer at work. Those have been forwarded to the State Police.

Freeman could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday. He was previously named by the New York Law Journal among “Lawyers Who Lead by Example” in 2016.

It couldn't immediately be ascertained from case records whether Freeman was represented by an attorney in the matter.

READ MORE: