NEW YORK Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed at least 11 women, including employees in his office, investigators announced on Tuesday. The months-long probe found that Cuomo “sexually harassed multiple women”, including members of his own staff, members of the public and state employees. Investigators also found the Governor and his team retaliated against at least […]
NEW YORK Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed at least 11 women, including employees in his office, investigators announced on Tuesday.
The months-long probe found that Cuomo “sexually harassed multiple women”, including members of his own staff, members of the public and state employees.
Investigators also found the Governor and his team retaliated against at least one former employee who complained publicly about his conduct.
“Governor Cuomo sexually harassed current and former state employees in violation of both federal and state laws,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said at a press conference on Tuesday.
“The independent investigation found that governor Cuomo harassed multiple women, many of whom were young women, by engaging in unwanted groping, kisses, hugging, and by making inappropriate comments.”
James also accused the governor of cultivating a “toxic workplace” leaving employees fearful of coming forward with complaints of misconduct, enabling “harassment to occur”.
More than half a dozen sexual harassment allegations were leveled against Cuomo earlier this year, with the allegations ranging from unwanted kisses, hugs, and groping, as well as inappropriate remarks of a sexual nature.
James said her investigation revealed “a deeply disturbing, yet clear picture” and “conduct that corrodes the very fabric and character of our state government and shine lights on the injustice that can be present at the highest levels of government.”
Cuomo has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. He previously said that any discomfort caused was unintentional and his conduct shouldn’t be considered sexual harassment.
However, investigators with the DA’s office said they determined that Cuomo had engaged in multiple acts of unlawful sex-based harassment.
Such harassment included the “touching and grabbing of private body parts,” investigators said.
They also charged that the acts were “not isolated incidents, they were part of a pattern.”
“No one welcomed [they advances] and all found it disturbing, humiliating, and inappropriate,” investigator Joon H. Kim, a former top federal prosecutor, said of the alleged victims.
One of the victims to make allegations against Cuomo was a state trooper assigned to his office.
The trooper recounted for investigators how she had allegedly been stood in front of Cuomo in an elevator when he suddenly ran his finger from her neck down her spine, saying “Hey, you.”
On another occasion, the trooper claims she had been stood holding a door open for the Democrat when he suddenly ran an open hand across her stomach, from her belly down to her hip where she kept her gun.
More to follow…
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