Cuomo Says ‘I Never Touched Anyone Inappropriately’ After Investigation Finds He Sexually Harassed Multiple Women – CBS New York
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo insisted Tuesday he “by no means touched anybody inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances,” saying he won’t step down.
“I’m 63 years previous. I’ve lived my complete grownup life in public view. That’s simply not who I’m, and that’s not who I’ve ever been,” the governor stated.
WATCH: N.Y. Lawyer Common James Press Convention
Cuomo was responding to a report from New York State Lawyer Common Letitia James, which discovered the governor sexually harassed multiple women, in violation of state and federal legislation.
“Particularly, the investigation discovered that Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed present and former New York State staff by participating in unwelcome and non-consensual touching and making quite a few offensive feedback of a suggestive and sexual nature that created a hostile work setting for ladies,” James instructed reporters Tuesday morning.
WEB EXTRA: Read The Report | Exhibits 1 | Exhibits 2 | Exhibits 3
The governor particularly addressed Charlotte Bennett’s claim that he requested her inappropriate questions, together with about being a sexual assault survivor, whereas she labored for him final yr. He stated her story “resonated deeply with me,” as a result of his personal member of the family survived a sexual assault in highschool.
“I did ask her questions I don’t usually ask individuals. I did ask her how she was doing and the way she was feeling, and I did ask inquiries to attempt to see if she had optimistic, supportive courting relationships,” he stated. “I assumed I had realized sufficient and had sufficient private expertise to assist her, however I used to be incorrect.”
“Charlotte, I need you to know that I’m really and deeply sorry. I introduced my private expertise into the office and I shouldn’t have completed that. I used to be attempting to assist, clearly, I didn’t,” he went on to say. “I want nothing however good for you and for all survivors of sexual assault.”
Resign, @NYGovCuomo.
— Charlotte Bennett (@_char_bennett_) August 3, 2021
After the legal professional normal’s announcement, Bennet tweeted a easy message to Cuomo: “resign.”
A number of lawmakers have additionally renewed calls for him to be removed from office.
WATCH: CBS2 Political Reporter Marcia Kramer’s Report
The governor additionally spoke about complaints that he kissed and hugged individuals, like Anna Ruch who instructed The New York Instances he put his palms on her face and requested to kiss her throughout a marriage in 2019.
“I’ve been making the identical gesture in public all my life. I truly realized it from my mom and from my father. It’s meant to convey heat, nothing extra. Certainly, there are lots of, if not hundreds of images of me utilizing the very same gesture,” Cuomo stated whereas enjoying a slideshow of the images. “I do it with everybody — Black and white, younger and previous, straight and LGBTQ, highly effective individuals, pals, strangers, individuals who I meet on the road.”
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