New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo responded on Tuesday to state Attorney General Letitia James’s findings that he sexually harassed several employees, including women outside of the Executive Chamber.
The Democratic governor issued his response in a recorded statement, dismissing the findings of the independent investigation that started in March and alleging it was not impartial. Cuomo added that his lawyers offered him a point-by-point rebuttal to the allegations of the report, with the attorneys also releasing a “position statement” for the governor on Tuesday.
“The facts are much different than what has been portrayed,” Cuomo said. “I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances. That is just not who I am, and that’s just not who I’ve ever been.”
Cuomo specifically addressed the allegations of one of the 11 women listed in the report, Charlotte Bennett, a former executive assistant. The governor said Bennett informed him she was a sexual assault survivor and that “her story resonated deeply” with him because he aided a family member through a similar situation.
“I did ask her questions I don’t normally ask people,” he said. But he added, “They read into comments that I made and drew inferences that I never meant.”
“I am truly and deeply sorry,” Cuomo said in an apology to Bennett.
Bennett, in response to the release of the report, tweeted to demand his resignation.
Resign, @NYGovCuomo.
— Charlotte Bennett (@_char_bennett_) August 3, 2021
We have the facts. @NYGovCuomo broke federal & state law when he sexually harassed me & other current & former staff. I do not want an apology — I want accountability and an end to victim-blaming. NYS Assembly Speaker @CarlHeastie, it’s time you do the right thing: impeach him.
— Charlotte Bennett (@_char_bennett_) August 3, 2021
During one part of the recording, Cuomo displayed photos of himself hugging, kissing, and touching people at public events through his years in office and argued that his behavior was not meant to harass but to “convey warmth, nothing more.”
“I actually learned it from my mother and from my father. … I do it with everyone: black and white, young and old, straight and LGBTQ, powerful people, friends, strangers, people who I meet on the street,” Cuomo said. “I do kiss people on the forehead. … I do embrace people. I do hug people: men and women. I do, on occasion, say, ‘Ciao, bella.’ On occasion, I do slip and say, ‘Sweetheart.’ … I am the same person in public as I am in private.”
The governor’s position statement outlined his rebuttal to another alleged victim, “Ms, X,” saying that her claims “are false.”
“[Cuomo] has never behaved in this manner and never would. It would be a pure act of insanity for the Governor—who is 63 years old and lives his life under a microscope—to grab an employee’s breast in the middle of the workday at his Mansion Office. This simply did not happen,” the attorneys wrote.
Cuomo added in his video response that he wants “New York state government to be a model of office behavior,” announcing that he has hired an “expert” to design a new sexual harassment policy and procedures to train the whole team. “Myself included,” the governor said.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer drafted a joint statement with the other New York Democratic senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, on Tuesday, renewing their calls for Cuomo’s resignation.
Other prominent figures in the party calling for him to go included New York Mayor Bill de Blasio.
The governor dismissed the calls to resign, however, and said he would not be “distracted” from his work.
LAWMAKERS DEMAND CUOMO TO RESIGN AFTER NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL’S INVESTIGATION
“I welcome the opportunity for a full and fair review by a judge and jury,” Cuomo added Tuesday.
