NYPD investigation confirmed Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed several women

An investigation into the governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, concluded that several women sexually harassed, current and former state government employees, state attorney general Letitia James said on Tuesday.

The nearly five-month survey, conducted by two outside lawyers who spoke to 179 people, determined that the Cuomo administration was a “hostile work environment” and that it was “fearful and intimidated”.

“These interviews and tests revealed a deeply disturbing but clear picture: Governor Cuomo sexually harassed current and former state employees, federal and state lawsJames said at a press conference on Tuesday.

Those consulted included whistleblowers, current and former members of the executive chamber, state police, other state employees and others who regularly interacted with the governor.

On at least one occasion, according to research, Cuomo and his senior executives worked to retaliate against a former employee who accused him of committing a crime. According to the investigation, Cuomo has also harassed women outside of government.

Jacques said that the investigation would not have been possible without the “heroic women who came forward”.

Cuomo faced several allegations last winter of inappropriately touching and sexually harassing women who worked with him or whom he met at public events. An assistant in his office said he touched his chest. Another, Lindsey Boylan, said Cuomo kissed her on the lips after a meeting in her office and “went out of her way to touch my lower back, arms and legs.”

After Boylan made his claims public in December, the Cuomo administration twisted his story by issuing media memos revealing Boylan resigned after facing complaints he belittled and yelled at his staff. Boylan said the tapes “were leaked to the media for the purpose of discrediting me.”

Other employees said that Democratic governor asked them unwanted personal questions about sex and dating. A former assistant, Charlotte Bennett, said Cuomo asked her if she was ready to have sex with an older man.

Last winter there was a chorus of resignation requests of Cuomo by many of New York’s top Democrats, including two U.S. Senators, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. Corn Cuomo refused to resign and raised funds for a fourth term.

Even the president, Joe Biden, replied that he would have to resign if the allegations were confirmed by the investigation. “I think then he would probably also be sued“He added.

Cuomo’s stance on the allegations has also hardened into a challenge. The governor has always denied touching anyone inappropriately, but first said he regretted his behavior with women was “misinterpreted as unwanted flirtation”. In recent months, he has taken a more combative stance, claiming he had done nothing wrong and questioning the motives of accusers and critics.

The attorney general’s report is expected to play an important role in the state assembly’s ongoing investigation into whether there are grounds for impeaching Cuomo.

New York State law states that sexual harassment includes unwanted behavior of a sexual nature – from unwanted flirting to sexual jokes – that creates an offensive work environment, regardless of the abuser’s intent.

The governor, meanwhile, has repeatedly stated that he has no intention of harassing anyone. His office said he received the state-mandated sexual harassment training, but did not provide any documentation proving he had done so.

Cuomo championed a landmark 2019 state law that made it easier for victims of sexual harassment to prove their case in court. Alleged victims no longer have to meet the high bar of proving that sexual harassment is “serious and pervasive”.

(With AP information)

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