Another female aide of Cuomo alleged that the governor aggressively groped her in a sexual manner at the governor’s mansion last year.
A person familiar with the woman’s claims reportedly said to the Albany Times Union that last year, the staff member was called to the mansion, allegedly to help Cuomo with phone issues. At that time, they were alone in his private residence.
“They were alone in Cuomo's private residence . . . when he closed the door and allegedly reached under her blouse and began to fondle her. [She] told the governor to stop.”
Female aide said Cuomo aggressively groped her at the governor's mansion https://t.co/B4bjsLeQVI
— Arthur Schwartz (@ArthurSchwartz) March 10, 2021
The Albany Times-Union reported details of the new sexual harassment accusation against Cuomo, and her identity has not been released.
The female aide alleged that at that time, they were alone in Cuomo’s mansion on the second floor. The governor then shut the door and allegedly reached under her blouse and started to fondle her. The Times Union is withholding the identity of the staff.
The person who is familiar with the woman’s accusations was not allowed to comment publicly but stated that the woman is much younger than Cuomo. Other than this incident, the woman also alleged that Cuomo frequently engaged in flirtatious behavior with her, and that was not the first time the governor touched her.
Cuomo: “As I said yesterday, I have never done anything like this. The details of this report are gut-wrenching. I am not going to speak to the specifics of this or any other allegation given the ongoing review, but I am confident in the result of the Attorney General’s report.” https://t.co/r3zeGSBZ1m
— Chris Horvatits (@ChrisHorvatits4) March 11, 2021
This new allegation is by far the most extreme behavior that was thrown against Cuomo. If proven to be true, this conduct could potentially be pursued as a misdemeanor sexual assault charge.
According to the Times-Union, Cuomo’s “executive chamber,” which includes senior officials, was already aware of the woman’s account since March 3.
However, what’s disturbing is that Cuomo stated that he was not aware of the latest allegation against him on Tuesday. This is the sixth sexual harassment accusation against the New York governor to date.
Meanwhile, in response to the Times-Union report, Cuomo said in a statement, “As I said yesterday, I have never done anything like this. The details of this report are gut-wrenching. I am not going to speak to the specifics of this or any other allegation given the ongoing review, but I am confident in the result of the attorney general’s report.”
The three-term governor faces harassment allegations from five other women One woman's attorney, Debra Katz, said in a statement released Wednesday evening that the latest allegations are “eerily similar” to her client's story. https://t.co/9KjNAsvpnF
— TribLIVE.com (@TribLIVE) March 11, 2021
Attorney for another accuser, Debra Katz, said in response to the latest account that it was eerily similar to her client, Charlotte Bennett’s experience.
Katz said in a statement, “This victim’s allegations are eerily similar to what Charlotte Bennett has alleged. Charlotte was summoned to the Capitol on a Saturday, left isolated with the Governor, and asked to help him with his phone’s minor technical issues. Charlotte reported this behavior and the Governor’s sexual proposition to his most senior aides.”
However, according to Katz, Charlotte Bennett reported his aides just buried the governor’s sexual harassment behavior, and there was no proper investigation that was made. Katz said, “Because of their enablement, another young woman was left in harm’s way. Had the Governor’s staff taken Charlotte Bennett’s allegations and their legal obligations seriously, perhaps this woman would have been spared of this sexual assault. That the governor does not deny touching people but insists he never did it inappropriately shows he is committed to gaslighting victims and perpetuating these lies. This is exactly how abusers operate.”
Previously, Bennett, 25, a former aide of Cuomo, came forward and alleged that the governor asked her if she had sex with older men and if she carried on monogamous relationships. She said the governor made her so uncomfortable during a workplace meeting in June that she reported the situation and asked for a transfer.
Charlotte Bennett, a former staff member for New York Governor Cuomo, details what she says was clear sexual harassment by the governor.
“I thought he's trying to sleep with me. The governor's trying to sleep with me," Bennett said. pic.twitter.com/y65zdmRJxI
— Norah O'Donnell 🇺🇸 (@NorahODonnell) March 4, 2021
A former aide and now a candidate for Manhattan borough president, Lindsey Boylan published her allegations against Cuomo last month in an essay on Medium.
Boylan accused Cuomo of kissing her on the lips without permission and making lewd remarks such as suggesting they play “strip poker” on a work-related flight.
Another Cuomo aide, Karen Hinton, who worked for Cuomo, told the Washington Post that over the weekend, Cuomo summoned her to a “dimly lit hotel room” in 2000 and given her an unwanted embrace. Cuomo’s office has denied her claims.
Ana Liss, who also worked for Cuomo between 2013 and 2015, also made the same allegations. Liss accused the governor of touching her back and kissing her hand at different times. She also alleged that the governor calls her “sweetheart” at work and asks questions about her personal life.
Cuomo has denied ever acting inappropriately but has said kissing and hugging is his usual form of greeting.
