The New York City chapter of the National Organization for Women is urging the “harshest possible penalties” for Assemblyman Vito Lopez after revelations that he harassed a 14-year-old intern.

In a statement, NOW NYC President Sonia Ossorio calls on Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan and the Legislative Ethics Commission to throw the book at Lopez.

“Given the new allegations that Mr. Lopez harassed a 14 year old child, NOW urges the Staten Island District Attorney and Legislative Ethics Committee (LEC) to seek the harshest possible penalties. Sexual harassment is rarely an isolated incident but rather a systemic problem. JCOPE’s investigation must be judged on the substance and depth not simply the fact of it. We look forward to reading the full report,” Ossorio said.

The New York Post reported this week that Lopez leered at a 14-year-old and told other staffers to dress like her. The story also said the Lopez would ask women to rub his hands when he was cold.

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics yesterday forwarded its investigation of Lopez to the Legislative Ethics Committee

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who approved more than $100,000 in settlement funds for the women, is said to have been exonerated in the report. Silver’s office yesterday urged that the legislative ethics panel release the report quickly.

The allegations that the Brooklyn Democrat sexually harassed female staffers is being investigated by Donovan, apponited special prosecutor, in a concurrent investigation.

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