Andrew CuomoNew York Democrat has been accused of harassment by five other women and is under investigation by state attorney general
Wed 10 Mar 2021 20.37 EST
An aide to Andrew Cuomo says the New York governor groped her in the governors residence, marking the most serious allegation among those made by a series of women against the embattled Democrat, according to a report published in a newspaper Wednesday.
The Times Union of Albany reported that the woman, who was not identified, was alone with Cuomo when he closed the door, reached under her shirt and fondled her. The newspapers reporting is based on an unidentified source with direct knowledge of the womans accusation. The governor had summoned her to the Executive Mansion in Albany, saying he needed help with his cellphone, the newspaper reported.
New York attorney general names duo to investigate Cuomo sexual harassment claims
The three-term governor faces harassment allegations from five other women, including former aide Charlotte Bennett. The 25-year-olds attorney, Debra Katz, said in a statement released Wednesday evening that the latest allegations are eerily similar to Bennetts own story.
Bennett has said she was summoned to the Capitol on a weekend and left alone with Cuomo, who asked her for help with his cellphone. She has said Cuomo asked about her sex life and propositioned her.
The governors sexual harassment, which Charlotte Bennett reported, was buried by his aides and never properly investigated, Katzs statement said. Because of their enablement, another young woman was left in harms way.
The woman whose account was reported by the Times Union also indicated that Cuomo had touched her and made flirtatious comments on multiple occasions. According to the newspaper, her allegations came to light as Cuomo staffers watched the governors 3 March press conference, his first after initial sexual harassment claims made in late February.
In it, he denied ever touching a woman inappropriately. The aide subsequently became emotional, and told a female supervisor who approached her about her encounters with the governor. At least one supervisor reported the allegation to an attorney in the governors office Monday, the newspaper reported.
Prior to Wednesdays report, the allegations against Cuomo include a combination of claims that he made the workplace uncomfortable for young women, ranging from flirtatious comments to a nonconsensual kiss.
At least five accusers Bennett, Lindsey Boylan, Anna Liss and Karen Hinton worked for the governor in Albany or during his time in Bill Clintons cabinet. Another, Anna Ruch, told the New York Times that she met Cuomo at a friends wedding.
The three-term governor has denied inappropriately touching anyone, but said he is sorry if he made anyone uncomfortable and didnt intend to do so.
As I said yesterday, I have never done anything like this. The details of this report are gut-wrenching, Cuomo said through a spokesperson Wednesday evening. I am not going to speak to the specifics of this or any other allegation given the ongoing review, but I am confident in the result of the attorney generals report.
The state attorney general, Letitia James, has put together an investigative team to probe Cuomos workplace conduct. The governor has called on lawmakers and the public to await the results of that investigation. Federal investigators are also scrutinizing how his administration handled data concerning Covid-19 outbreaks at nursing homes.
Cuomo has repeatedly maintained he wont resign.
How can we allow this man to lead our state? We must impeach, Zohran Kwame Mamdani, a Democratic assembly member, tweeted Wednesday night.
The Republican assembly member Mike Lawler on Twitter called Cuomo a sexual predator who should be charged.
Both lawmakers had previously called for Cuomos impeachment.
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