Independent investigation by the State Attorney General’s office has found that New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo engaged in a pattern of sexual harassment of women employees in his state office violating federal and state laws.
Gatekeepers News had reported that Cuomo was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women.
New York Attorney General, Letitia James on Tuesday, during a press conference, said:
“The investigation found that Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed current and former New York State employees by engaging in unwelcome and non-consensual touching and making numerous offensive comments of a suggestive and sexual nature that created a hostile work environment for women.
“The independent investigation found that Governor Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, many of whom were young women, by engaging in unwanted groping, kisses, hugging and by making inappropriate comments.”
Amid rising calls for Cuomo to resign, he now faces likely lawsuits and possible criminal prosecution.
James disclosed that eleven women narrated stories of a “hostile and toxic work environment” to independent investigators retained by the State attorney general’s office. She said the full report will be released to the public.
According to the New York Attorney General, investigators conversed with 179 people which include members of Cuomo’s executive staff and state police protective detail across a five-month period and reviewed more than 74,000 pieces of evidence including emails, texts, audio files and pictures.
“These interviews and pieces of evidence reveal a deeply disturbing yet clear picture,” said James, who does not plan to bring state charges against the governor.
“We have concluded our investigation. Our work is done. As it relates to next steps, that’s entirely up to the governor and the General Assembly and the general public,” James said.
Gatekeepers News reports that Cuomo has denied the sexual harassment allegations by at least six women against him and refused to step down as New York state’s top government executive.
“What is alleged, did not happen,” Cuomo had said during a news conference on March 12.
“I’ve not had a sexual relationship that was inappropriate, period,” Cuomo maintained.
When the investigation started in March, President Joe Biden had said Cuomo should resign if the sexual harassment allegations against him are confirmed.
“I think he’d probably end up being prosecuted, too,” Biden told ABC News.
Also, a group of 59 New York state legislators, along with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called for Cuomo’s resignation in March after an allegation surfaced that Cuomo had touched a government aide at the governor’s state residence last year.
“The specific allegation that the governor called an employee of his, someone who he had power over, called them to a private place and then sexually assaulted her – it’s absolutely unacceptable,” de Blasio, a Democrat who has publicly criticised Cuomo, said at the time.
