New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday denied allegations of a former aide over the weekend sexually harassing him by making inappropriate comments about his appearance
ALBANY, NY – New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday denied allegations by a former aide over the weekend that he sexually harassed her by making inappropriate comments about her appearance.
Cuomo told reporters that claims that economic adviser Lindsey Boylan made Sunday in a series of tweets “were not true.”
“I fought and I think a woman has a right to come forward and express her opinion and express issues and concerns she has,” the 63-year-old Democratic governor said, making his first comments about the allegations. “But it’s not true.”
Cuomo’s press secretary previously denied the claims on his behalf.
Boylan, who is running for president of the Manhattan district, tweeted that Cuomo “sexually harassed me for years.” He added that “many saw it and looked at it.”
“I could never foresee what to expect: if I was on the grill with my work (which was very good) or bothered by my appearance. Or would they both be in the same conversation? That was the way it was for years, ”he continued.
Boylan, 36, worked in the Cuomo administration from March 2015 to October 2018, first as executive vice president of Empire State Development and then as Cuomo’s special advisor for economic development.
Earlier this month, Boylan tweeted that working for the Cuomo administration was the worst job he had ever had, and described the environment as “beyond toxic.”
Staff notes written in 2018 and obtained by The Associated Press indicated that Boylan resigned after he was faced with complaints about his own behavior in the office.
Boylan did not provide details of Cuomo’s alleged harassment and did not respond to messages from The Associated Press.
Boylan tweeted on Sunday: “To be clear: I have no interest in talking to journalists. I want to validate the experience of countless women and make sure the abuses stop.”
Cuomo did not respond when asked Monday if he remembered cases in which he commented on Boylan’s looks, instead of reiterating that he denied the allegations.
“In the tweets, I totally respect women’s rights: I fought for women’s rights to express any concerns, any problems they have in the workplace. I support it. But the tweets just weren’t true.”