ANDREW Cuomo has been accused of sexual harassment by two ex-staffers and has confessed to carrying out “unwanted flirtation”. The New York Governor has bowed to pressure and has agreed to an independent inquiry into allegations made against him. After sex pest claims came to light, an array of high profile Democrats – including President […]
ANDREW Cuomo has been accused of sexual harassment by two ex-staffers and has confessed to carrying out “unwanted flirtation”.
The New York Governor has bowed to pressure and has agreed to an independent inquiry into allegations made against him.
After sex pest claims came to light, an array of high profile Democrats – including President Joe Biden – turned on him, with one even branding him a “monster”.
Charlotte Bennett is one of the two women who have accused Cuomo, 63, of sexual harassment.
The 25-year-old is a former aide to Cuomo.
She worked as executive assistant and health policy advisor in the Governor’s administration until she left the post in November.
Bennett now works as director of operations at Primary Maternity Care, according to her LinkedIn page.
Bennett claims Cuomo 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.
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.
“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.
