Albany’s Times Union reported that the woman, whom he did not name, was alone with Cuomo late last year when he closed the door, put his hand under his shirt and stroked her. The newspaper reports are based on an unidentified source with direct knowledge of the woman’s accusation. The governor had summoned her to the Albany executive mansion, saying she needed help with her mobile phone, the newspaper reported.
“I’ve never done anything like that,” Cuomo said through a spokesman Wednesday evening.
“The details of this report are staggering,” Cuomo said, adding that he will not talk about the details of this or any other indictment, given an ongoing investigation overseen by the state attorney general.
The three-term governor faces allegations of harassment of other women and is increasingly calling for the resignation or removal of at least some fellow Democrats. Cuomo has repeatedly said he will not resign.
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“He has openly said he will not resign. And with more growing accusations that we are deeply credible, we are now in a position where I think we should accuse,” said Assemblywoman Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, a Democrat who previously had driven his resignation.
The woman whose Times Times Union denounced the story said Cuomo had touched her and made flirtatious comments on several occasions. According to the newspaper, his allegations came to light when Cuomo members watched the governor’s March 3 press conference, the first after a new round of sexual harassment claims made in late February.
In it, he denied ever touching a woman inappropriately. Subsequently, the attendee was moved and told a supervisor that his meetings with the governor were approaching. At least one supervisor reported the allegation to a lawyer at the governor’s office Monday, the newspaper reported.
Ahead of Wednesday’s report, allegations against Cuomo include a combination of claims that he made the workplace an uncomfortable place for young women, ranging from rocket comments to a non-consensual kiss.
At least five prosecutors (Charlotte Bennett, Lindsey Boylan, Anna Liss, Karen Hinton and the last indictment) worked for the governor in Albany or during his time in President Bill Clinton’s cabinet. Another, Anna Ruch, told the New York Times that she met Cuomo at a friend’s wedding.
Bennett’s lawyer, Debra Katz, said in a statement released Wednesday evening that the latest allegations are “tremendously similar” to the former assistant’s story.
Bennett, 25, said she was summoned to the Capitol one weekend and was left alone with Cuomo, who asked her for help with her cell phone. She has said Cuomo asked her about her sex life and asked her if she would be open to a relationship with an older man. Bennett did not allege that Cuomo tried to palpate her.
“The governor’s sexual harassment, which Charlotte Bennett reported, was buried by her aides and was never properly investigated,” Katz’s statement states. “Because of her habilitation, another young woman was put in danger.”
Cuomo has denied touching anyone inappropriately, but has said he regrets that he has bothered someone and has no intention of doing so.
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State Attorney General Letitia James has assembled an investigation team to investigate Cuomo’s work conduct. The governor has asked lawmakers and the public to await the results of this investigation. Federal researchers are also studying how their administration managed data on COVID-19 outbreaks in residences.
Cuomo has been under fire for weeks, beginning with revelations that his administration withheld details from the public about the number of pandemic deaths among residents at state nursing homes. The governor’s exploration, which received praise during the coronavirus pandemic era for leadership that produced a book deal and called for a national political career, intensified when former 36-year-old Councilman Boylan reiterate the harassment claims made in December and unveiled them in a late February blog post.
It was unclear to what extent the latest denunciation would further erode Cuomo’s support for the legislature. Although several state lawmakers on both sides have called for Cuomo’s resignation or removal, most have indicated they will await the conclusion of the poll.
“How can we allow this man to lead our state? We have to accuse,” Democratic Assembly member Zohran Kwame Mamdani tweeted Wednesday night.
Republican Assemblyman Mike Lawler on Twitter called Cuomo a “sexual predator” who should be charged.
Both lawmakers had previously called for Cuomo’s removal.
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