Executive Assistant Who Accused Cuomo Of Groping Speaks Publicly – CBS New York

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — The lady who filed a criminal complaint in opposition to Gov. Andrew Cuomo for groping her is talking out.

It’s simply the most recent shoe to drop within the ongoing sexual harassment case in opposition to the New York state’s chief govt, CBS2’s Marcia Kramer reported Sunday.

READ MORE: Gov. Cuomo Investigation: Albany County Sheriff Says Of Accuser’s Complaint, ‘The Conduct Was Sexual In Nature’

The lady, recognized solely as “Government Assistant #1” in Attorney General Letitia James‘ scathing report about the governor’s conduct, is nameless now not. Speaking exclusively to CBS This Morning, Brittany Commisso explained why she decided to start the legal ball rolling.

However that’s not the one growth. The governor’s prime aide, Melissa DeRosa, has instantly resigned.

“It was the fitting factor to do. The governor must be held accountable,” Commisso mentioned.

“And simply so I’m clear, once more, being held accountable to you means seeing the governor charged with against the law?” CBS This Morning‘s Jericka Duncan requested.

“What he did to me was against the law. He broke the legislation,” Commisso mentioned.

READ MORE: Political Consultant: New York State’s Impeachment Of Gov. Cuomo ‘Could Get Very Ugly’

Commisso instructed investigators for Lawyer Common James there have been a number of situations when the governor engaged in shut and intimate hugs, together with one occasion when she snapped a selfie and, she claims, Cuomo put his palms on after which rubbed and grabbed her butt.

One other time, she mentioned, the governor groped and grabbed her breast.

“Then there began to be hugs with kisses on the cheek, after which there was at one level a hug after which he went to go kiss me on the cheek, he’d shortly flip his head and he kiss me on the lips,” Commisso mentioned.

“What did you say?” Duncan requested.

“I didn’t say something. I didn’t say something. I didn’t say something this complete time. Individuals don’t perceive that that is the governor of the state of New York. There are troopers which can be outdoors of the mansion and there are some mansion workers. These troopers which can be there, they don’t seem to be there to guard me. They’re there to guard him,” Commisso mentioned.

READ MORE: De Blasio: Cuomo ‘Should Be Charged’ Over Sexual Assault, Harassment Claims In AG Investigation

Commisso mentioned she initially thought she would take her experiences to the grave, by no means speak about it, however she apparently broke down when she noticed Cuomo insisting at a press conference that he didn’t do anything wrong.

Final week, he was nonetheless insisting her story was false.

“This simply didn’t occur,” Cuomo mentioned.

READ MORE: Cuomo Faces Mounting Calls To Resign Or Face Impeachment Trial After Bombshell AG Report

Apparently after listening to that, Commisso filed a felony complain with the Albany County Sheriff’s Division.

“I’ve a younger woman that got here in who’s alleging she was victimized and we’re going to do all the pieces in our powers to assist her,” Sheriff Craig Apple mentioned.

Cuomo lawyer Rita Glavin fired again.

“What he did, which I assumed was attention-grabbing, was that ‘We’re going to do all the pieces in our energy to assist her,’ and that provides me lots of pause that he hasn’t finished any investigation and he’s drawn a conclusion,” Glavin mentioned.

READ MORE: Biden, Pelosi, Schumer, Gillibrand And Many More Call On Cuomo To Resign

Glavin additionally attacked the lawyer common’s report.

“There was proof that they collected and that they ignored and omitted placing of their report,” Glavin mentioned.

In the meantime, DeRosa, the secretary to the governor, a girl who was talked about within the lawyer common’s report as typically as Cuomo, instantly resigned Sunday evening.

She mentioned in in an announcement, “It has been the best honor of my life to serve the individuals of New York for the previous 10 years. New Yorkers’ resilience, power, and optimism by probably the most tough instances has impressed me day by day. Personally, the previous two years have been emotionally and mentally attempting. I’m endlessly grateful for the chance to have labored with such gifted and dedicated colleagues on behalf of our state.”

The lawyer common recognized DeRosa as one of many individuals who helped create a hostile work surroundings, and spearheaded a marketing campaign to query the credibility of Cuomo’s first accuser, Lindsey Boylan.

Many in Albany circles surprise if DeRosa’s resignation means the governor realizes he may additionally should step down, Kramer reported.

In the meantime, the Meeting impeachment investigation is shifting ahead. The committee will maintain a standing assembly in Albany on Monday. The committee has given the governor until the close of business Friday to submit his defense.

You’ll be able to hear extra from Commisso on Monday morning. The unique interview with CBS This Morning and the Albany Instances Union airs at 7 a.m. on CBS2.