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TRENTON — The chief counsel to Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey came under withering questioning on Friday from lawmakers who pointedly challenged whether the administration took seriously an accusation of sexual assault against a top Murphy official.

“You thought it was important but you let him stay there for all those months,” asked Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, a Republican, referring to why the state continued to employ the accused, Albert J. Alvarez. “With all due respect, do you believe it was better for him to remain employed? Was it intentional to leave him employed or was it just lack of experience?” she said.

After a pause, the chief counsel, Matthew Platkin, replied, “It was not intentional.”

Assemblywoman Pamela R. Lampitt, a Democrat, commented: “What is so special about Al Alvarez; why is he a protected person? We’re here because of Al Alvarez.”

Mr. Platkin, who has emerged as a central character in the administration’s handling of the accusation, also said during testimony that while he asked Mr. Alvarez to leave, he never directly tried to force him out, including imposing a deadline.