New York Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women in violation of federal and state law, and also retaliated against a former employee who went public with her complaints, the state’s attorney general said on Tuesday.
Letitia James announced the results of an independent investigation at a press conference, in which she said that the governor also created a hostile work environment. Read the report here.
“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,” James said. “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.”
After the allegations surfaced earlier this year, the governor’s referred the matter to James’ office for an investigation, and she launched an inquiry that included the appointment of outside investigators.
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“Governor Cuomo’s administration fostered a toxic workplace that enabled harassment and created a hostile work environment where staffers did not feel comfortable coming forward with complaints about sexual harassment due to a climate of fear, and given the power dynamics,” James said.
Cuomo has refused calls to resign coming from some of the top Democrats from his state, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).
More to come.
