Attorney General Letitia James Says Investigation Finds Cuomo Sexually Harassed Multiple Women, Violated State And Federal Law – CBS New York
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – A brand new report from New York Attorney General Letitia James finds Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed a number of ladies.
“The impartial investigation has concluded Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed a number of ladies, and in doing so violated federal and state legislation,” James mentioned.
The report finds the manager chamber was a hostile work atmosphere.
Quite a few allegations of sexual harassment or inappropriate habits have been leveled in opposition to the governor.
WEB EXTRA: Links To Exhibits 1 | Links To Exhibits 2 | Links To Exhibits 3
Investigators say that Cuomo engaged in “repeated bodily violations” of girls, groped an assistant, and allegedly had unwelcome contact with a feminine state trooper.
Cuomo additionally repeatedly made “offensive and gender-based” feedback to staffers and staff.
James mentioned the investigation has concluded, and the allegations are “civil in nature,” although prosecutors are welcome to evaluation the report and make their very own choices about doable prison fees.
James mentioned subsequent steps are as much as Cuomo, the Meeting, and the general public – however the investigation into sexual harassment is over.
“The report speaks for itself,” James mentioned. “The governor violated state and federal legal guidelines.”
As to the allegations from the 11 accusers in opposition to Cuomo, “I consider them,” James mentioned.
“These 11 ladies have been in a hostile and poisonous work atmosphere,” James mentioned. “We should always shield them.”
A separate investigation into the governor’s e book deal stays open.
The investigation discovered that the manager chamber was a poisonous atmosphere the place “you would not say no to the governor,” lead investigator Joon Kim mentioned.
It was a piece atmosphere “ripe for harassment,” Kim mentioned.
Investigators say they spoke with 179 individuals, together with Cuomo’s accusers, as a part of their investigation.
“These interviews and items of proof reveal a deeply disturbing, but clear image,” James mentioned. “The impartial investigation discovered that Governor Cuomo sexually harass a number of ladies, lots of whom have been younger ladies, by partaking in undesirable groping, kisses, hugging, and by making inappropriate feedback. Additional, the governor and his senior crew took actions to retaliate in opposition to at the least one former worker for coming ahead along with her story, her reality.”
Reacting to Tuesday’s report, former aide and Cuomo accuser Charlotte Bennett took to Twitter with a easy message to the governor.
“Resign,” she wrote.
Resign, @NYGovCuomo.
— Charlotte Bennett (@_char_bennett_) August 3, 2021
The blockbuster report about Cuomo has renewed calls from a chorus of political leaders for Cuomo to resign. This comes after quite a few leaders previously called for the governor to step down, together with Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and lots of extra.
Lindsey Boylan, a former aide, was the primary to publicly accuse the governor of sexual harassment in a collection of tweets again in December. Cuomo flatly denied the allegation as “merely not true.”
Sure, @NYGovCuomo sexually harassed me for years. Many noticed it, and watched.
I might by no means anticipate what to anticipate: would I be grilled on my work (which was excellent) or harassed about my seems. Or would it not be each in the identical dialog? This was the way in which for years.
— Lindsey Boylan (@LindseyBoylan) December 13, 2020
In February a number of extra ladies got here ahead. Bennett mentioned the governor had requested her a number of questions on her private life, including how she felt about dating older men. Bennett was adopted by Anna Ruch, who claimed the governor placed her hands on her bare lower back while at a wedding and asked to kiss her.
Cuomo has previously apologized for making “individuals really feel uncomfortably” however vehemently denied touching anyone inappropriately.
He additionally has mentioned he would not resign from office.
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