New York State Governor, Democrat Andrew Cuomo, has “Sexually harassed several women”, according to the findings of an independent investigation requested by justice and made public by state prosecutor Letitia James on Tuesday, August 3.
This investigation was launched following a formal request transmitted by the services of Mr. Cuomo, in March, when several accusations against the governor had been made public, endangering his administration as well as his political future. The prosecutor announced that she had chosen a former federal prosecutor, Joon H. Kim, and a lawyer specializing in workplace discrimination issues, Anne Clark, to conduct the research.
The investigation report, available online, attributes to Mr. Cuomo inappropriate gestures, “Unwanted kisses and hugs”, as well as “Inappropriate comments”. Based on the findings of the investigation, the governor and his staff have “Also took reprisals against at least one employee for having testified”, according to a statement from the prosecutor’s office.
“The independent investigation concluded that Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed several women and in so doing violated federal and state law”, said the prosecutor, specifying that there were, among the victims,“Old and current” state officials.
“The report speaks for itself”
Mme James said investigators interviewed 179 people, including complainants and local executive employees, and the investigation revealed “A clear and deeply disturbing picture” of what she called “Climate of fear”. The majority of Mr. Cuomo’s victims were young, she said. “The governor’s executive team fostered a toxic work environment which made harassment possible and a hostile working atmosphere”, adds the survey.
Asked whether he should resign, she added: “The decision rests with the Governor of New York State. The report speaks for itself. ” In office for ten years, the 63-year-old governor denied the charges when they were revealed and was heard at length by investigators on July 17.
A seasoned politician, Mr. Cuomo became a figure during the Covid-19 pandemic, with many acknowledging his good handling of the situation when New York and its region was the epicenter of the crisis, in the spring of 2020. Some even pushed Mr. Cuomo – son of governor, former administration minister Bill Clinton and friend of US President Joe Biden – to run for the White House.
A year later, his position had been weakened by the first accusations of sexual harassment. A former economic adviser, Lindsey Boylan, had claimed that the governor had kissed her unsolicited on the mouth and suggested that she play with him at the “Strip-poker”, when she worked with him between 2015 and 2018. Then another ex-collaborator, Charlotte Bennett, had affirmed that the governor had made advances to her which had put her ” uncomfortable “ in spring 2020.
A few days later, 33-year-old Anna Ruch, who had never worked with him, told the New York Times that he had “Shocked” wanting to kiss him against his will at a wedding in 2019. In March, Mr. Biden said Mr. Cuomo should step down if the sexual harassment charges against him were upheld. “I think he will then probably also be prosecuted”, he added.