Andrew Cuomo to be investigated by New York attorney general for alleged sexual harassment
New York governor has denied the claims and said comments ‘misinterpreted’ as ‘unwanted flirtation’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is be investigated by the state’s attorney general for alleged sexual harassment.
The investigation was announced by Letitia James who said that she will make public a report into her findings when the probe is complete.
The Democratic governor is facing allegations of sexual harassment from two former female aides in his office, which he says he thought was “playful” banter.
Ms James said her office would look into the allegations made against the governor after she was authorised to do so by Mr Cuomo.
“Today, we received a referral letter providing our office the authority to move forward with an independent investigation into allegations of sexual harassment claims made against Governor Cuomo,” she said in a statement on Twitter.
Psaki says Cuomo harassment allegations are ‘hard to read’ as a woman, as Biden backs independent investigation
Cuomo sends letter authorizing probe of harassment claims
NYC mayor suggests Cuomo should resign over ‘terrifying’ sexual harassment claims
Andrew Cuomo accused of sexual harassment by second former aide
“At the close of the review, the findings will be disclosed in a public report.”
The latest allegation against the politician emerged over the weekend, when Charlotte Bennett, a 25-year-old former executive assistant and health policy adviser to Cuomo, came forward and spoke to the New York Times about her experience.
Ms Bennett told the newspaper that Mr Cuomo had asked her questions about her sex life during a conversation in his State Capitol office.
And she claimed that he told her that he was open to relationships with women in their 20s.
Mr Cuomo denied the claims saying that he had “never made advances toward Ms Bennett, nor did I ever intend to act in any way that was inappropriate.”
Another former aide of the governor, Lindsey Boylan, made her own allegations of sexual harassment against Mr Cuomo in a post on Medium.
Ms Boylan alleged that Mr Cuomo had invited her to play “strip poker” during a 2017 flight on his state jet, while another aide was sitting next to her.
She also claims that in 2018 Mr Cuomo kissed her on the lips after a briefing on economic and infrastructure projects in his New York City office.
Mr Cuomo denied those allegations in a press conference when they were made last December.
“I now understand that my interactions may have been insensitive or too personal and that some of my comments, given my position, made others feel in ways I never intended,” Mr Cuomo said in a statement on Sunday night.
“I acknowledge some of the things I have said have been misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation. To the extent anyone felt that way, I am truly sorry about that.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments