ANDREW CUOMO
What has Andrew Cuomo been charged with?
A new report was filed Thursday, accusing the former governor of a forcible touching misdemeanor. Cuomo could face up to a year in jail if convicted.
Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was charged Thursday with a Class A misdemeanor following sex crime complaints that claim he inappropriately touched his executive assistant in December 2020 in Albany's Executive Mansion.
This report comes two months after Cuomo made the decision to resign following sexual harassment accusations involving eleven women.
What is Cuomo accused of?
The complaint interposed alleges that Cuomo, 63, "intentionally, and for no legitimate purpose, forcibly place his hand under the blouse shirt of the victim ... and onto her intimate body part."
Specifically, the [victim's] left breast for the purposes of degrading and gratifying his sexual desires."
Pattern of conduct
"Since approximately late 2019, the Governor engaged in a pattern of inappropriate conduct with an executive assistant," according to the report, which also gives a deeper definition of Cuomo's "pattern of inappropriate conduct", including:
Pattern of conduct
- Close and intimate hugs
- Kisses on the cheeks, forehead, and at least one kiss on the lips
- Touching and grabbing of Executive Assistant's bottom during hugs and while taking selfies with him
- Comments and jokes by the Governor about Executive Assistant's personal life and relationships, including calling her and another assistant "mingle mamas."
The complaint also specifies that on multiple occasions Cuomo asked the victim if she would cheat or already had cheated on her husband, as well as asking her to find a girlfriend for him.
"These offensive interactions, among others, culminated in an incident at the Executive Mansion in November 2020 when the Governor, during another close hug with Executive Assistant #1, reached under her blouse and grabbed her breast," the filing said.
What consequences could the former governor face?
According to Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple Sr, the city court has called the former governor to court on the afternoon of November 17, where he is expected to give his version of the events.
As Cuomo has been accused of a Class A misdemeanor involving a sex crime of forcible touching, if found guilty, he could face up to a year in prison and three of probation.
Cuomo denies the accusation claiming misunderstanding
Cuomo has strongly denied several allegations in the report filed, while for other behaviors he has excused himself alleging there has been a misunderstanding of his actions.
"Cuomo is being held to account as he should be, including by being forced to answer a criminal charge," Mariann Wang, the lawyer of two other victims, said in a statement. "We hope that all men who abuse their power by abusing women will see this and understand that there will be real consequences to their profoundly damaging behavior."