… his denials sound like Donald Trump
The report released today about New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is devastating, illustrating that the allegations against him for sexual harassment and other charges are true.
The charges against Cuomo, a Democrat, were compiled by two reputable prosecutors who were appoint by Democratic Attorney General Letitia James. The scathing indictment led many Democrats to call for the immediate impeachment of Cuomo, which is a far cry from the reaction to the criminal behavior of the 45th president who was impeached but not convicted of crimes because his party refused to vote against him.
The investigation interviewed the women who made the allegations and was substantiated by investigators.
And, it included retaliation against at least one employee.
The results
The attorney general released the highly-anticipated report today,
Letitia James, the New York State attorney general, said a months-long investigation found that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women and retaliated against at least one for making her complaints public.
The independent investigation has concluded that Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women and in doing so, violated federal and state law. Specifically, the investigation found that Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed current and former New York State employees by engaging in unwelcome and nonconsensual touching, and making numerous offensive comments of a suggestive and sexual nature that created a hostile work environment for women.
The investigators independently corroborated and substantiated these facts through interviews and evidence, including contemporaneous notes and communications.
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. Further, the governor and his senior team took actions to retaliate against at least one former employee for coming forward with her story, her truth.
Luis Ferre-Sadumi and William K. Rashbaum, “Report finds Cuomo sexually
harassed multiple women and retaliated against one
for going public,” New York Times, August 3, 2021
James is blunt about charges
While a Democrat like the governor, James did not play favorites with the release of this report,
Letitia James, the New York State attorney general, said a months-long investigation found that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women and retaliated against at least one for making her complaints public.
The independent investigation has concluded that Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women and in doing so, violated federal and state law. Specifically, the investigation found that Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed current and former New York State employees by engaging in unwelcome and nonconsensual touching, and making numerous offensive comments of a suggestive and sexual nature that created a hostile work environment for women.
The investigators independently corroborated and substantiated these facts through interviews and evidence, including contemporaneous notes and communications.
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. Further, the governor and his senior team took actions to retaliate against at least one former employee for coming forward with her story, her truth.
Luis Ferre-Sadumi and William K. Rashbaum, New York Times, August 3, 2021
Legal and political ramifications
The report immediately brought a response from the D.A. in Albany,
Shortly after the release of the report, the Albany County district attorney, David Soares, said in a statement that his office was conducting an investigation into Mr. Cuomo’s behavior. Mr. Soares said that the office would be requesting investigative materials that the attorney general’s office had obtained, and encouraged other victims to contact his office.
The Albany police department had previously been notified of some of the behavior in the report, including that the governor had groped the breast of a female aide.
Luis Ferre-Sadumi and William K. Rashbaum, New York Times, August 3, 2021
Denials from Cuomo
The governor did not hesitate in attacking the report from the Democratic A.G.,
Responding to the report from Albany shortly after, Mr. Cuomo reiterated his contention that he had never touched anyone inappropriately, declaring that “the facts are much different from what has been portrayed.”
“I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances,” he said in what appeared to be a prerecorded message. “I am 63 years old. I have lived my entire adult life in public view. That is just not who I am, and that’s not who I have ever been.”
Luis Ferre-Sadumi and William K. Rashbaum, New York Times, August 3, 2021
Democrats in New York will likely start impeachment proceedings against Cuomo, although that will take some time.
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