From the BBC:
“Andrew Cuomo: New York
Governor sexually harassed women, report finds”
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo
has been accused of sexually harassing multiple women, subjecting them to
unwanted kissing and groping, in a damning independent investigation. The
state's Attorney General Letitia James said Mr Cuomo had violated state and
federal laws. In response, Mr Cuomo denied touching anyone inappropriately and
vowed to continue as governor. Several state lawmakers, including fellow
Democrats, say he should resign.
The investigation was
commissioned last year after several women came forward with allegations of
sexual misconduct against the governor.Investigators spent five months speaking
to nearly 200 people, including staff members and some of those who made
complaints against him. Tens of thousands of documents, texts and pictures were
reviewed as part of the inquiry. "The independent investigation has
concluded that Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women and in
doing so violated federal and state law," Ms James said. Mr Cuomo, she
said, had engaged in "unwelcome and non-consensual touching and making
numerous offensive comments".
Cuomo 'ran finger down state
trooper's neck' In one case, Mr Cuomo and his staff retaliated against a
former employee who accused him of wrongdoing, according to Ms James. Other
women described being groped, kissed or sitting on the governor's lap. Mr
Cuomo allegedly reached under the blouse of an assistant to touch her breast,
while another aide said he asked her if she was open to sex with an older man.
What do the women allege? Eleven
women have accused Governor Cuomo of misconduct. Seven women say he
inappropriately touched or groped them at least once. Eight women say he
made offensive, condescending or sexual comments. Four women allege he
kissed them without consent
New York Attorney General
report The governor stood behind a state trooper in a lift, running his
finger down her neck and saying "hey you", according to
investigators. On top of the allegations of harassment, Mr Cuomo is accused of
presiding over a "hostile and toxic work environment". Joon Kim, who
co-led the investigation, said: "It was a culture where you could not say
no to the governor and if you upset him or his senior staff you'd be written
off, cast aside or worse." In his statement, Mr Cuomo said: "I
want you to know directly from me that I never touched anyone inappropriately
or made inappropriate sexual advances. "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."
New York's senators, the
Democrats Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand used the release of the
investigation to again call for him to resign. "Today's report from the
New York State attorney general substantiated and corroborated the allegations
of the brave women who came forward to share their stories - and we commend the
women for doing so," they said. The investigation is civil, rather than
criminal, so will not directly lead to charges. But police could use the report
in deciding to take further action and it is also likely to play a key part in
a separate impeachment investigation he faces.
Analysis box by Anthony
Zurcher, North America reporter After a whirlwind of attention earlier this
year, the Andrew Cuomo sexual harassment allegations had been held at a low
simmer for months. The New York attorney general's report now brings them
roaring back. Cuomo was able to survive the story's first wave through a
mix of denials, apologies and hunkering down in hopes that the political storm
would pass. He seems determined to follow the same strategy again. Even
with the new revelations and the report's conclusion that the governor engaged
in a "pattern" of misconduct, an organised effort to remove Cuomo
through legislative impeachment will be a tough task. Where this report
may draw political blood, however, is by further diminishing Cuomo's prospects
for re-election next year. His popularity has been dented, his opponents have
multiplied, and the Democratic establishment continues to distance itself from
the man who was once one of the party's top stars. The next move may
come from President Joe Biden, who said he was reserving his judgement until
the Cuomo investigation concluded. If he turns on the governor now - either
publicly or behind the scenes - it could be the only way Cuomo exits the stage
before his term as governor expires.
^ Cuomo needs to resign or be
forced out of office. Then he should be criminally charged for his crimes. He
is the worst kind of person (a man who uses his powerful position to force
himself on others.) He is no longer able to govern or represent New York State.
^
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