New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo confesses to ‘unwanted flirtation’ after second aide accused him of sexual harassment
NEW York Governor Andrew Cuomo has confessed to carrying out “unwanted flirtation” with staff after a second aide accused him of sexual harassment. Last night, a second former aide came forward with sex pest allegations three days after another ex-staffer made similar claims. Now in a statement he has admitted that some things he said […]
NEW York Governor Andrew Cuomo has confessed to carrying out “unwanted flirtation” with staff after a second aide accused him of sexual harassment.
Last night, a second former aide came forward with sex pest allegations three days after another ex-staffer made similar claims.
Now in a statement he has admitted that some things he said to staff in the past could have been interpreted as “unwanted flirtation.”
It reads: “Questions have been raised about some of my past interactions with people in the office.
“I never intended to offend anyone or cause any harm. I spend most of my life at work and colleagues are often also personal friends.
“At work sometimes I think I am being playful and make jokes that I think are funny.
“I do on occasion, tease people in what I think is a good natured way. I do it in public and in private.
“You have seen me do it at briefings hundreds of times.
“I have teased people about their personal lives, their relationships, about getting married or not getting married.
“I mean no offence and only attempt to add some levity and banter to what is a very serious business.
‘UNWANTED FLIRTATION’
“I now understand that my interactions may have been insensitive or too personal and that some of my comments, given my position, made others feel in ways I never intended.
“I acknowledge some of the things I have said have been misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation.
“To the extent anyone felt that way, I am truly sorry about that.
“To be clear I never inappropriately touched anybody and I never propositioned anybody and I never intended to make anyone feel uncomfortable, but these are allegations that New Yorkers deserve answers to.
“That’s why I have asked for an outside, independent review that looks at these allegations.
“Separately my office has heard anecdotally that some people have reached out to Ms Bennett to express displeasure about her coming forward.
“My message to anyone doing that is you have misjudged what matters to me and my administration and you should stop now – period.”
Last night Charlotte Bennett, 25, claimed her 63-year-old boss quizzed her about her sex life after she went to him for help as a survivor of sexual assault.
She told the New York Times Cuomo asked if her she was monogamous in her relationships and if she had ever had sex with older men.
“I understood that the governor wanted to sleep with me, and felt horribly uncomfortable and scared,” she said.
“And was wondering how I was going to get out of it and assumed it was the end of my job.”
She said she left the governor’s office in November following the alleged harassment, which came during the height of the Covid pandemic.
Charlotte’s claims came three days after another ex-aide, Lindsey Boylan, claimed Cuomo kissed her on the lips and suggested they play strip poker.
Most senior New York Democrats remained tight-lipped after the first round of allegations on Wednesday.
But last night Cuomo was dealt a crushing blow when his own deputy and other members of his party appeared to turn their backs on him.
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul called for an independent review into the allegations, saying: “Everyone deserves to have their voice heard and taken seriously.”
Senate leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins called the new allegations “deeply disturbing and concerning”.
She said: “The behavior described has no place in the workplace.”
She also echoed calls by Republicans for the Attorney-General to take over the probe.
New York City mayoral candidate Maya Wiley said: “I am disgusted. I believe Charlotte Bennett.
“Senior officials in the Governor’s office were aware of his behavior … What happened to these complaints? Why was no further action taken? How many other times has this happened?”
State senator Alessandra Biaggi tweeted bluntly: “@NYGovCuomo, you are a monster, and it is time for you to go. Now.”
PREVIOUS STATEMENT
Cuomo – already facing calls for his impeachment over the alleged cover-up of Covid deaths in care homes – released a statement responding to Charlotte Bennett’s claims last night.
“I never made advances toward Ms Bennett nor did I ever intend to act in any way that was inappropriate,” he said.
“I tried to be supportive and helpful. Ms Bennett’s initial impression was right: I was trying to be a mentor to her.
“The last thing I would ever have wanted was to make her feel any of the things that are being reported.
“This situation cannot and should not be resolved in the press; I believe the best way to get to the truth is through a full and thorough outside review and I am directing all state employees to comply with that effort.”
His special counsel Beth Garvey said Ms Bennett had been moved to other duties at her request but had not alleged sexual misconduct while working for the governor.
On Wednesday, Cuomo’s office said allegations by former aide Lindsey Boylan were “simply false”.
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She claimed in her more than three years while working in his administration, Cuomo “would go out of his way to touch me on my lower back, arms and legs.”
She also alleged he compared her to one of his rumored ex-girlfriends, kissed her on the lips without consent, and once joked they should play strip poker during a flight on his official jet.
“I’m compelled to tell my story because no woman should feel forced to hide their experiences of workplace intimidation, harassment and humiliation — not by the Governor or anyone else,” Boylan said.