Cuomo Avoids Public Amid Outcry Over Harassment Allegations

11
FILE - In this Feb. 22, 2021 photo, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, right, pauses to listen to a reporter's question during a news conference at a COVID-19 vaccination site in the Brooklyn borough of New York. New York's attorney general said she's moving forward with an investigation into sexual harassment allegations against the governor after receiving a letter from his office Monday authorizing her to take charge of the probe. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, Pool, file)

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has avoided public appearances for days as some members of his own party call for him to resign over sexual harassment allegations.

Join our WhatsApp group

Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email


The governor hasn’t taken questions from reporters since a Feb. 19 briefing, an unusually long gap for a Democrat whose daily, televised updates on the coronavirus pandemic were must-see TV last spring.

He was last before video cameras Thursday, when he introduced President Joe Biden at a virtual meeting of the National Governor’s Association, which he chairs. He also participated Tuesday in the group’s conference call, which was off-limits to reporters.

Neither Cuomo nor his spokespeople have commented on the latest allegation made against him Monday night.

Most leading Democrats have signaled they want to wait for the results of an investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James into claims that Cuomo sexually harassed at least two women in his administration.

State Democratic Party chair Jay Jacobs, a close Cuomo ally, said it’s “premature” to opine before the investigation concludes.

That inquiry has yet to begin. James said her office is working to hire an outside law firm to conduct it.

U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries said New York’s congressional delegation in Washington has not met on the issue but “everyone is monitoring the situation closely.”

“Well these are very serious allegations and they require a very serious investigation,” Jeffries told reporters Tuesday. “I’m confident that Attorney General Tish James will get to the bottom of everything, release a report that’s fully transparent and then we can decide the best way to proceed thereafter.”

As of midday Tuesday, at least one Democratic Congress member from Long Island — U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice — four state senators, several left-leaning Assembly members and the leaders of the progressive Working Families Party said they have already heard enough and that Cuomo should resign. Some suggested he be impeached.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who has had a contentious relationship with Cuomo for years, said Tuesday that “if these allegations are true, he cannot govern.”

“He would not be able to govern, it’s as simple as that,” the Democrat said.

Asked by a reporter whether Cuomo should resume holding in-person events, de Blasio said, “I think all leaders have to answer tough questions from the media, regardless of whether it’s convenient.”

One former aide, Charlotte Bennett, 25, said Cuomo asked her inappropriate questions, including whether she would be open to a relationship with an older man. Bennett rejected Cuomo’s attempted apology, in which he said he’d been trying to be “playful” and that his jokes had been misinterpreted as flirting.

Another former aide, Lindsey Boylan, said Cuomo commented on her appearance inappropriately, as well as made inappropriate actions and suggestions. Cuomo has denied Boylan’s allegations.


Listen to the VINnews podcast on:

iTunes | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Podbean | Amazon

Follow VINnews for Breaking News Updates


Connect with VINnews

Join our WhatsApp group


11 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Maven
Maven
3 years ago

VIN, Please don’t post a picture of this ego maniac joke of a governor. Each time i see his face or hear his voice i feel like puking.

This should be a lesson to all self promoting ego maniac politicians that you can be as mighty and untouchable as you think are but there is the Ribono Shel Olam and he and only he makes all the calls.

Throw the bum out of office asap.

Anon
Anon
3 years ago

Suddenly VIN cares about women? For years all the accusations and proof of Trump being a slob were OK? And the attacks vs Women of The Wall were OK? And all the attacks vs charedi women wanting to learn were OK? So now you care about women? LOL

Ari
Ari
3 years ago

He’s finally socially distancing and masking up (shutting up)!!

S k
S k
3 years ago

Of he’s hiding from the media and can’t take the heat them how can he govern this great state, even if he’s found not guilty? In NY you need to be able face the music.

But based on the fact that Cuomo prejudged Kavanauh, nothing wrong with prejudging him and saying guilty and please resign now