News

Cuomo’s Team Attacks A.G.’s Sexual Harassment Report

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s legal team attacked Attorney General Letitia James’ report that found he sexually harassed 11 women.

Paul Fishman, one of Cuomo’s attorneys, claims that James’ office failed to provide a copy of the report to Cuomo’s office and to “the people whose conduct would be discussed.”

Cuomo’s attorney Rita Glavin added that the investigation was “conducted in a manner to support a predetermined narrative.”

When asked how Cuomo’s accusers would be protected from potential public backlash/retaliation, Glavin answered: “People are not going to be retaliated against by Governor Cuomo.”

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

James responded to these comments on Friday, saying that Cuomo’s team “attacked the credibility” of his accusers.

Fabien Levy, press secretary and senior adviser to James, added: “The independent investigators selected are widely respected professionals, recognized for their legal and investigatory ability. To attack this investigation and attempt to undermine and politicize this process takes away from the bravery displayed by these women.”

Debra Katz, the attorney representing Charlotte Bennett, one of Cuomo’s accusers, claims that Cuomo “has made clear he will continue his fight to stay in power, caring not at all about the people he has hurt and the consequences of his actions.”

Since the release of James’ report, one of Cuomo’s accusers has anonymously filed a criminal complaint against the Democratic governor. Cuomo has denied that he inappropriately touched his accuser.

Cuomo’s attorneys were asked if they are concerned about the complaint, to which they responded: “Not in the least. There’s no evidence.”

According to the report, the woman, identified only as “Executive Assistant 1,” claimed that Cuomo grabbed her buttocks during hugs and a photo.

She also alleges that Cuomo grabbed her breast at the governor’s mansion on November 16, 2020. “And I remember thinking to myself who—I knew what just went on, I knew and he knew too that was wrong,” the accuser said, according to the report. “And that I in no way, shape or form invited that nor did I ask for it. I didn’t want it. I feel like I was being taken advantage of.”

The woman also said that Cuomo kissed her on the cheek several times (and once on the lips in early 2020).

Rich Azzopardi, a senior adviser to Cuomo, responded to the complaint on Friday. “As we said previously, we proactively made a referral nearly four months ago in accordance with state policies,” he said.

Elizabeth Letsou

Share
Published by
Elizabeth Letsou

Recent Posts

HHS Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Says He’ll Ban Agency Scientists From Publishing Findings In Prestigious Medical Journals

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. threatened to prohibit government scientists…

3 hours ago

As He Exits Administration, Elon Musk Criticizes Trump Budget Bill For Exploding Deficit

Elon Musk took to social media to criticize the Republican budget bill that recently passed…

3 hours ago

Trump Envoy Steve Witkoff Uses Kremlin Interpreters For Meetings With Russian President Putin

Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's special envoy for the Middle East, has relied on Kremlin…

5 hours ago

After Hungary Bans LGBTQ Pride Parades, 17 E.U. Countries Issue Protest

Seventeen European Union countries pressured the European Commission to respond to Hungary's passing of anti-LGBTQ…

6 hours ago

Trump’s New Social Security Commissioner, Frank Bisignano, Says He Had To ‘Google His Job’ Because He Didn’t What It Did

In early May, Frank Bisignano was sworn in as the head of the Social Security…

10 hours ago

GOP Budget Bill Changes Name Of Proposed Children’s Savings Plan To ‘Trump Accounts’ From ‘MAGA Accounts’

The GOP megabudget bill proposes to create savings accounts for American babies born during President…

1 day ago