Senators assistant GM Randy Lee resigns amid suspension

Lee, who had been with the Senators for 23 seasons, is facing two harassment charges stemming from a May 31 arrest in Buffalo, N.Y., and he was suspended indefinitely by the team on June 15.

Ottawa Senators assistant general manager Randy Lee has resigned, and a search is underway for his replacement, the team announced Tuesday.

Lee, who had been with the Senators for 23 seasons, is facing two harassment charges stemming from a May 31 arrest in Buffalo, N.Y., and he was suspended indefinitely by the team on June 15.

"I have to think about my obligations to the hockey team," Lee said in a statement. "They need an assistant general manager who can focus completely on the coming season. Until this matter is behind me, however, I'm not in a position to do that."

He added that he intends to spend more time with family.

Lee, 56, was initially charged with one count of harassment after allegedly rubbing the shoulders of a 19-year-old male shuttle bus driver and making lewd comments while he was in Buffalo for the NHL combine. A second harassment charge was filed against him in July. He pleaded not guilty to both charges, and his attorney is seeking their dismissal, but that likely can't happen until at least Sept. 13 after his Wednesday court appearance was pushed back.

The driver's attorney, Charles Desmond, told the Associated Press last month he was monitoring court proceedings and would consider a civil lawsuit.

"The (Senators) organization is doing the right thing to protect the public, its employees and other individuals who can be subjected to his actions," Desmond told the AP in a statement Tuesday.

Lee was set to enter his fifth season as the Senators' assistant general manager. His primary responsibilities included developing the team's prospects and overseeing the AHL affiliate in Belleville, Ontario. He was forced to miss the first day of the NHL draft in June due to a court appearance in Buffalo.

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