Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women: what does the attorney general’s report say?
NY Attorney General James spoke at a press conference Tuesday outlining the findings of a report into allegations of sexual harassment against Andrew Cuomo
On 3 August a report was released by the New York State Office of the Attorney General, which detailed the findings of an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against governor Andrew Cuomo.
What did the report say?
The report begins by outlining, the investigators found that Cuomo had “sexually harassed a number of current and former New York State employees.”
NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio: "It is beyond clear that Andrew Cuomo is not fit to hold office and can no longer serve as Governor. He must resign, and if he continues to resist and attack the investigators who did their jobs, he should be impeached immediately."
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) August 3, 2021
The team found that he had “among other things, engaging in unwelcome and nonconsensual touching, as well as making numerous offensive comments of a suggestive and sexual nature that created a hostile work environment for women.”
Additionally, the report stated that the harassment was not limited to his own staff and also included, “a State Trooper on his protective detail and members of the public.” In response to the report, the president of the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association, Thomas H. Mungeer, made a public statement articulating his “outraged and disgusted that one of my members, who was tasked with guarding the governor and ensuring his safety, could not enjoy the same sense of security in her work environment that he was provided.”
In a press conference Letitia James, the NY attorney general provided more information on the report and confirmed that the governor had retaliated against one of the women. James also told the public that they should believe the eleven women involved in the investigation and suggested that more women may have been victimized.
Letitia James, the New York State attorney general, said a monthslong investigation found that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women and retaliated against at least one for making her complaints public. pic.twitter.com/3n7ql1FWpN
— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 3, 2021
Will Governor Cuomo step down?
During her remarks, James said that Cuomo had failed in his obligation to protect the women working under him and that his actions represent a serious abuse of power. In one of the victim’s testimony, she told investigators that the “Executive Chamber’s culture of fear and flotation, intimidation and intimacy, abuse and affection, created a work environment ripe for harassment.”
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Both Senators from New York, Kristen Gillibrand and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have called for the governor to resign with Gillibrand calling the report “very serious and damning.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on damning Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexual harassment report:
— The Recount (@therecount) August 3, 2021
“The people of New York deserve better leadership in the governor’s office. We continue to believe that the governor should resign.” pic.twitter.com/2bpQQm13U7
When victims began coming forward earlier this year, Cuomo had stated that he would not step down and dismissed the allegations as lies. And still, after the report’s release Tuesday, he continued to argue that some of the allegations were false.