The sexual harassment story in the City Council was turned up a notch yesterday when the legislature’s press office said another harassment complaint had been filed against a council member.

A spokesman for Council Speaker Gifford Miller, David Chai, said a “sexual harassment complaint” was filed against “a council member,” but did not provide names or details. He said the charge was immediately referred to the council’s fair intervention committee, a body established after recent allegations of sexual misconduct against Council Member Allan Jennings Jr., a Democrat of Queens, were made public. Those allegations are the subject of closed-door hearings this week by the council’s committee on standards and ethics.

Mr. Miller, who was sharply criticized for delaying action on a complaint about Mr. Jennings, had the council press office respond swiftly yesterday. The office immediately circulated its “zero-tolerance policy,” which outlines penalties for harassment and discrimination.

Sources, who would not go on the record, said the latest case involved Council Member Vincent Gentile, a Brooklyn Democrat. The charges, they said, were lodged by Mr. Gentile’s chief of staff, John Martin, who alleged that the council member repeatedly made inappropriate remarks, including asking Mr. Martin to share a hotel room on a trip to Maine.

Attempts by the Sun to locate Mr. Martin last night were unsuccessful. Mr. Gentile, a former state senator who represents Bay Ridge, denied knowing about the allegations.

“I can’t deal with something I know nothing about,” he said from his district office during a phone interview. “I have not been told about any allegation. I have not been told about any complaint. John Martin was here working with all of us today.

Mr. Gentile quickly added: “It’s absurd, whatever the suggestion, it’s absurd.”

With rumors already swirling in City Hall and headlines in city papers about the latest sexual misconduct case, some are worrying about how the double-barreled allegations will affect the council’s credibility.

“I just don’t think the council can afford another controversy like this,” said Council Member James Oddo of Staten Island, the Republican leader. “This thing with Jennings is an absolute circus. To now have a second accusation, it really undercuts the perception of this body as a professional entity.”

Mr. Oddo characterized the situation as a “body blow to the legislature” that “eats away at whatever credibility we have” by overshadowing the positive work that honest council members are doing for their constituents.

Some said the council’s response yesterday shows just how sensitive it is to ensuring that all misconduct situations are handled appropriately, especially as Mr. Miller gears up for next year’s mayoral race. Mr. Chai said, however, that the council simply has a “strong anti-sexual harassment policy in place” that it is enforcing.

As for ramifications on the council, he said: “It’s too premature to judge any kind of repercussions before we know whether the allegations are true.”

Mr. Jennings is accused of creating a hostile work environment, inappropriately using city money, and improperly firing two employees. Sources said the Queens Democrat shared details about his sex life with one aide, fired another after she refused to go on a date with him, and read a Bible passage to a fellow council member. He has acknowledged reading from the Bible, saying it wasn’t harassment, and denied the other allegations.

Mr. Gentile, who won election last year after getting knocked out of the Senate, has had a contentious time in the council. He has angered groups across the political spectrum, including gay-rights advocates and anti-tax conservatives, who have accused him of abandoning their causes.

Mr. Gentile said last night that he had not talked to Mr. Martin about the allegations. He said Mr. Martin had left the office 45 minutes earlier.

Mr. Martin submitted a letter of resignation September 14 and is scheduled stay on until September 28.The council member said his chief of staff was leaving to go to law school, not because of any sexual harassment allegations.