Randy Lee resigns role with Senators

Ottawa Senators assistant general manager Randy Lee, who had been suspended by the organization while facing harassment charges, has resigned.

The team made the announcement shortly before 6 p.m. ET Tuesday in a brief press release.

Lee is accused of making lewd comments and rubbing the shoulders of a 19-year-old male shuttle driver when he was in Buffalo, N.Y., for the NHL’s pre-draft scouting combine this spring.

Lee, who also served as GM of Ottawa’s AHL affiliate, was arrested May 31 after prosecutors say he continued placing his hands on the man’s shoulders even after being told to stop. He also allegedly made a reference to his genitalia.

The 56-year-old said in a statement Tuesday he is not in a position to fulfil his obligations with the Senators while his legal case is ongoing.

Lee has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyer is seeking to have the charges dismissed.

The club initially didn’t suspend Lee until two weeks after he was charged.

“We felt we made the right decision with Randy Lee,” Ottawa GM Pierre Dorion said at June’s NHL draft of the delay. “In 23 years with the organization, there’s never been an incident recorded. It’s an on-going process.

“Randy will have his due process, and from there we will re-evaluate.”

The Senators said in Tuesday’s press release that they would have “no further comment on the matter.”

Ottawa’s assistant GM the last five seasons, Lee is scheduled to appear in a Buffalo court Sept. 13.