#Top lawyer at NYC Board of Elections takes leave of absence amid probe

The top lawyer at the New York City Board of Elections has taken a “leave of absence” — just weeks before the general election — amid a Department of Investigation probe of his conduct, The Post has learned.

The elections board is expected to announce legal counsel Steve Richman’s sudden leave at its meeting Tuesday afternoon.

Richman, who sits next to executive director Michael Ryan at board meetings, oversees all election-related legal issues and court cases. The Brooklyn resident has been employed by the board since 2000.

BOE insiders confirmed Richman has taken a leave from the board, but declined comment on the nature of the complaint against him.

Sources told The Post the complaint centers on Richman’s treatment of a subordinate.

A DOI spokesperson issued a “no comment” when asked about the honcho.

Richman’s most recent filings with the Conflicts of Interest Board show the BOE’s longtime attorney has racked up a mountain of credit card debt.

He reported having six open credit cards — from Citi Bank, Capitol One, Barclay’s, Chase, HSBC and American Express — and owes between 5,000 and $50,000 on each one, putting him potentially six figures in the the hole.

Richman declined requests for comment.