ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Besieged by sexual harassment allegations, a somber New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo apologized Wednesday, saying he “learned an important lesson” about his own behavior around women, but he said he intended to remain in office.
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“I now understand that I acted in a way that made people feel uncomfortable,” Cuomo said at a Wednesday press conference. “It was unintentional and I truly and deeply apologize for it.”
“I never touched anyone inappropriately,” Cuomo said.
New York’s governor apologized if he made women feel uncomfortable, but urged the public to “wait for the facts” before making a judgment about the sexual-harassment accusations he faces pic.twitter.com/GT727egHX7
— Bloomberg Quicktake (@Quicktake) March 3, 2021
Cuomo said he will “fully cooperate” with the state attorney general’s investigation into sexual harassment allegations. Attorney General Letitia James is in the process of selecting an outside law firm to conduct an investigation into the allegations and produce a report that will be made publicly.
Cuomo had avoided public appearances for days as some fellow Democrats call for him to resign. Before Wednesday’s press conference, the governor last spoke to reporters during a teleconference call on Feb. 22. His last media briefing on video was Feb. 19.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo: "I am not going to resign. I work for the people of the State of New York. They elected me and I'm going to serve the people of the State of New York." https://t.co/q1Pk3Tey0A pic.twitter.com/ALFsvfbFgr
— The Hill (@thehill) March 3, 2021
He hadn’t spoken publicly since giving New York Attorney General Letitia James a referral to investigate claims that he sexually harassed at least two women in his administration.
One former aide, Charlotte Bennett, 25, said Cuomo quizzed her about her sex life and asked 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, kissed her without her consent at the end of a meeting, and once suggested they play strip poker while aboard his state-owned jet. Cuomo has denied Boylan’s allegations.
And another woman, Anna Ruch, told The New York Times that Cuomo put his hands on her face and asked if he could kiss her at a September 2019 wedding.
Cuomo started Wednesday’s press conference focusing on the latest data on the coronavirus pandemic.
He highlighted a disproportionately high number of hospitalizations in New York City, news that the state is receiving an initial shipment of 164,000 doses of the new one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine and that three vaccination sites will temporarily shift to 24/7 operations.
Cuomo needs to change his altitude. This is just a pattern of behavior that makes him unfit. He abused his higher office to come after our yeshivas and shuls. It was all ego and revenge based. Anyone who disagrees when the pattern of his behavior stare at you in the face is just pathological lair. He never meant to save lives. he meant to hurt us. Its simple.
Impeach and remove Cuomo for yeshivagate.
Geronticidal tyrant.
What’s the story with him? He from all people, the guy who didn’t trust Kavanaugh (who by the way the accuser went away bec it seems like it wasn’t true) wants New Yorkers to trust him. He always said that we need to trust the women. The pictures show him touching. How can he say he never touched.
Governor Cuomo time to leave. You say you were elected by the people. The New Yorkers thought they voted for an honest person. Meanwhile it turns out you are responsible for the nursing homes deaths because of your upity stupidity. You tried to cover it up and you refuse to acknowledge it. That’s dishonesty. You want us to judge you favorably but you refuse to judge others favorably. You preferred ratings amongst your liberal peers. Shame on you. Resign.
He’s not going to step down voluntarily and there is no recall mechanism. Corrupt Albany legislature would have to impeach him but I wouldn’t hold my breath. Albany is pretty shameless although some are calling for him to resign.
I strongly hope he doesn’t resign. He’s doing a great job enforcing the lockdowns and other Life saving measures.