Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sunday tried to explain the allegations of sexual harassment as “jokes” that were misinterpreted as “unwanted flirting,” as his office fell on the Attorney General’s request. state of appointing only one investigator to investigate the claims of two former officials.
“At work sometimes I think I’m playing and I make jokes that I find funny. From time to time, I provoke people in the way I think is a good way, ”Cuomo said in a prepared statement.
“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,” he continued. “I admit that some of the things I have said have been misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation. To the extent that someone felt that way, I really feel it. ”
The statement came a day after Charlotte Bennett, a 25-year-old former Cuomo member, alleged in the New York Times that the 63-year-old governor made a series of inappropriate comments that left her convinced that ” I wanted to sleep with her. “
That statement, in turn, came less than a week after another former official, Lindsey Boylan, expanded on allegations she first revealed in December 2020, alleging that Cuomo kissed her in the face. lips without warning.
While acknowledging statements that may have crossed the line, Cuomo again denied on Sunday going any further.
“To be clear, I never touched anyone inappropriately and I never proposed to anyone and I never wanted to make anyone feel uncomfortable,” he said. “But these are allegations to which New Yorkers deserve answers.”
Cuomo’s statement came minutes after his special attorney and senior adviser Beth Garvey blinked first in an hour and back with state attorney general Letitia James over how to investigate the allegations.
“The governor’s office wants a thorough, independent review that is above any reproach and out of political interference,” Garvey said in a statement. “Therefore, the governor’s office has asked Attorney General Tish James to select a qualified private attorney to conduct an independent review of allegations of sexual harassment.”
James asked Sunday morning that the Cuomo administration grant him the sole authority to appoint an independent investigator with subpoenas.
The Cuomo administration, which on Saturday approved former federal Judge Barbara Jones’ investigation into the investigation, was a highly criticized action because Jones once worked with former Cuomo councilor Steve Cohen, however. respond with a counteroffer.
Garvey said James’ office could work in conjunction with major state appeals, Judge Janet DiFiore – appointed by Cuomo – to agree on an investigator.
James rejected that, under state law, his position has the sole authority to appoint an independent investigator.
When mounted under pressure, Cuomo shrank.
“The independent attorney will be legally appointed as an independent special deputy attorney general and will be granted all the powers provided for in section 63 (8) of the Executive Act,” Garvey’s latest statement continued.
“If necessary, other attorneys from the designated law firm will be similarly appointed to assist in the review. The attorney will publicly report his or her findings.
“The governor’s office will cooperate fully voluntarily.”