Governor Cuomo Sexually Harassed Multiple Women, Violated State and Federal Laws, says AG

Written By: Robert Cox

NEW YORK, NY — The independent investigators appointed by New York Attorney General Letitia James — led by Joon H. Kim and Anne L. Clark — today released their report into the multiple allegations of sexual harassment by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. After nearly five months, the investigators concluded that Governor Cuomo did sexually harass multiple women — including former and current state employees — by engaging in unwanted groping, kissing, and hugging, and making inappropriate comments. Further, the governor and his senior staff took actions to retaliate against at least one former employee for coming forward with her story. Finally, the Executive Chamber fostered a “toxic” workplace that enabled “harassment to occur and created a hostile work environment.” The investigators find that Governor Cuomo’s actions and those of the Executive Chamber violated multiple state and federal laws, as well as the Executive Chamber’s own written policies.

The investigation was conducted after, on March 1, 2021, the Executive Chamber made a referral, pursuant to New York Executive Law Section 63(8), for Attorney General James to select independent lawyers to investigate “allegations of and circumstances surrounding sexual harassment claims made against the governor.” Kim and Clark were chosen to lead the investigation on March 8, 2021.

“This is a sad day for New York because independent investigators have concluded that Governor Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women and, in doing so, broke the law,” said Attorney General James. “I am grateful to all the women who came forward to tell their stories in painstaking detail, enabling investigators to get to the truth. No man — no matter how powerful — can be allowed to harass women or violate our human rights laws, period.”

Starting in December 2020, multiple women came forward with allegations that Governor Cuomo sexually harassed them. Over the course of the investigation, the investigators interviewed 179 individuals. Those interviewed included complainants, current and former members of the Executive Chamber, State Troopers, additional state employees, and others who interacted regularly with the governor. More than 74,000 documents, emails, texts, and pictures were also reviewed as evidence during the investigation.

Backed up by corroborating evidence and credible witnesses, the investigators detail multiple current or former New York state employees or women outside state service who were the targets of harassing conduct on the part of the governor.

As part of the investigation, Governor Cuomo also sat with the interviewers and answered questions under oath. While the governor denied the most serious allegations, the investigators found that he did so by offering “blanket denials” or that he had a “lack of recollection as to specific incidents.” The investigators also found that the governor’s recollection “stood in stark contrast to the strength, specificity, and corroboration of the complainants’ recollections, as well as the reports of many other individuals who offered observations and experiences of the governor’s conduct.”

Additionally, the investigators found that the Executive Chamber was “rife with fear and intimidation” that not only “enabled the above-described instances of harassment to occur,” but also “created a hostile work environment overall.” Further, Governor Cuomo, himself, and the Executive Chamber engaged in “retaliatory” behavior by “intending to discredit and disparage” a former employee that came forward with her story of harassment.

The investigation found that Governor Cuomo’s sexual harassment of multiple women and his and the Executive Chamber’s retaliation against a former employee for coming forward with her claims of sexual harassment violated multiple state and federal laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the New York State Human Rights Law, and 42 U.S. Code § 1983, in addition to the Executive Chamber’s own equal employment policies.

Jennifer Kennedy Park, Abena Mainoo, and Rahul Mukhi from the law firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP were all deputized — in addition to Joon H. Kim — as Special Deputies to the First Deputy Attorney General to conduct the investigation and issue this report. Yannick Grant from the law firm Vladeck, Raskin & Clark, P.C. was deputized — in addition to Anne L. Clark — as a Special Deputy to the First Deputy Attorney General to conduct the investigation and issue this report. A number of other attorneys from both Cleary Gottlieb and Vladeck were appointed as Special Assistants to the First Deputy Attorney General to assist with the investigation.

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REAX:

NEW YORK STATE GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO DENIES SUM AND SUBSTANCE OF AG REPORT

ATTORNEY RITA GLAVIN RELEASES DETAILED RESPONSE TO INDEPENDENT REVIEWER REPORT ON ALLEGATIONS AGAINST GOVERNOR CUOMO

Attorney Rita Glavin of Glavin PLLC released a detailed response to the Independent Reviewer Report on allegations against Governor Andrew M. Cuomo that was issued earlier today. The position statement can be viewed here.

ATTORNEY GENERAL JAMES’ STATEMENT ON COOPERATION WITH NYS ASSEMBLY INVESTIGATION INTO SEXUAL HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST GOVERNOR CUOMO

At the Assembly’s request, we have provided the Assembly Judiciary Committee with the report that was released today, and we will provide them with all relevant evidence. We will cooperate with their investigation as needed.

WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER STATEMENT ON ATTORNEY GENERAL REPORT

The Attorney General’s findings are clear and compelling. The Governor must resign. The patterns of sexually harassing, intimidating and inappropriate behavior towards women cannot be tolerated.

WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER VIDEO RESPONSE ON ATTORNEY GENERAL REPORT

ASSEMBLYMEMBER AMY PAULIN STATEMENT ON ATTORNEY GENERAL REPORT

The Attorney General’s report and its conclusions are clear – Governor Cuomo has broken the very law he signed by sexually harassing several women, all of whom were brave enough to come forward and tell their painful stories. I appreciate what they have done and stand with them. The Governor’s behavior was not only dehumanizing and degrading to these women, but it also demeans his office and position. It’s unacceptable for anyone to act as he did, let alone the Governor of our State. He needs to resign now, and if that does not happen, we in the Assembly must begin impeachment proceedings.

ASSEMBLY SPEAKER CARL HEASTIE STATEMENT ON ATTORNEY GENERAL REPORT

After our conference this afternoon to discuss the Attorney General’s report concerning sexual harassment allegations against Governor Cuomo, it is abundantly clear to me that the Governor has lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority and that he can no longer remain in office. Once we receive all relevant documents and evidence from the Attorney General, we will move expeditiously and look to conclude our impeachment investigation as quickly as possible.”

WESTCHESTER COUNTY BOARD OF LEGISLATORS STATEMENT ON ATTORNEY GENERAL REPORT

The conclusion of independent investigators, as described in the report released Tuesday by Attorney General Letitia James, that “the Governor engaged in conduct constituting sexual harassment under federal and New York State law,” makes it untenable for him to remain in the position of the highest authority in New York. We cannot tolerate sexual harassment, intimidation and retaliation in any workplace, let alone in the State’s Executive Chamber. We call on Governor Cuomo to resign immediately, and if necessary, for the State Legislature to take appropriate action; and we commend the women who came forward to speak with investigators for their courage.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN STATEMENT ON ATTORNEY GENERAL REPORT

He should resign. I understand the state legislature may decide to impeach, I do not know that for a fact.

CT GOVERNOR NED LAMONT, RI GOVERNOR DAN MCKEE, NJ GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY, PA GOVERNOR TOM WOLF JOINT STATEMENT ON ATTORNEY GENERAL REPORT

We are appalled at the findings of the independent investigation by the New York State Attorney General. Governor Cuomo should resign from office.

NY SENATORS KIRSTIN GILLIBRAND AND CHUCK SCHUMER JOINT STATEMENT ON ATTORNEY GENERAL REPORT

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.

No elected official is above the law. The people of New York deserve better leadership in the governor’s office. We continue to believe that the governor should resign.

NEW YORK MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO ON ATTORNEY GENERAL REPORT

My first thoughts are with the women who were subject to this abhorrent behavior, and their bravery in stepping forward to share their stories. The Attorney General’s detailed and thorough report substantiates many disturbing instances of severe misconduct. Andrew Cuomo committed sexual assault and sexual harassment, and intimidated a whistleblower. It is disqualifying.

It is beyond clear that Andrew Cuomo is not fit to hold office and can no longer serve as Governor. He must resign, and if he continues to resist and attack the investigators who did their jobs, he should be impeached immediately.

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE NANCY PELOSI ON ATTORNEY GENERAL REPORT

Under Attorney General Letitia James, a comprehensive and independent investigation into the allegations against Governor Cuomo has been completed. As always, I commend the women who came forward to speak their truth,

Recognizing his love of New York and the respect for the office he holds, I call upon the Governor to resign.

3 thoughts on “Governor Cuomo Sexually Harassed Multiple Women, Violated State and Federal Laws, says AG”

  2. You should do a deep dive on Rich Bamberger and his role in this. After all, he did run for the Board of Ed in New Ro….

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