New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks from the One World Commerce Middle Tower whereas making an announcement in New York Metropolis, New York, U.S., June 15, 2021.
Mike Segar | Reuters
Embattled New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday strongly denied claims in a bombshell report by the state Legal professional Common’s Workplace, which discovered that he had sexually harassed not less than 11 girls and oversaw a “poisonous tradition” of concern and intimidation in his workplace.
“I by no means touched anybody inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances,” Cuomo mentioned.
“I’m 63 years outdated. I’ve lived my whole grownup life in public view. That’s simply not who I’m.”
Cuomo mentioned his lawyer has ready a point-by-point rebuttal to the findings of the scathing report overseen by AG Letitia James after an investigation through which he was questioned for 11 hours.
“The details are a lot totally different than what has been portrayed,” the governor mentioned. “Learn the details and determine for your self.”
He flatly denied an allegation that he groped a girl within the workplace of his dwelling in Albany after summoning her to the governor’s mansion.
“That by no means occurred,” Cuomo mentioned.
The Democratic governor additionally accused investigators of bias, and implied that the probe was contaminated by politics.
“Politics and bias are interwoven all through each facet of this investigation,” Cuomo mentioned. “One could be naive to assume in any other case, and New Yorkers aren’t naive.”
However Cuomo additionally mentioned that he understood that he had behaved towards some girls in a manner that made them really feel uncomfortable. In a single case, he famous, The New York Occasions had run a photograph on its entrance web page of him holding a girl’s face as she grimaced.
That girl took offense as his gesture, which Cuomo claimed was “meant to convey heat, nothing extra.”
“For that, I apologize,” he mentioned. “I now perceive that there are generational or cultural perspective that frankly I hadn’t absolutely appreciated, and I’ve discovered kind this.”
Earlier Tuesday, James and investigators detailed the report, which reignited requires Cuomo to resign.
The report mentioned Cuomo had harassed girls who labored out and in of state authorities, together with a state trooper who was assigned to his private safety element.
James is herself a Democrat, and has been talked about as a attainable candidate for governor, whether or not or not Cuomo resigns or seeks re-election subsequent 12 months.
Cuomo opened his response Tuesday by saying, “It has been a tough and painful interval for me and my household.”
The governor mentioned that in response to accusations in opposition to him, “I’ve introduced in an knowledgeable to design new sexual harassment coverage and procedures.”
He took no questions from reporters after responding to the report in a press release that was livestreamed by his workplace.
– Extra reporting by Christina Wilkie and Thomas Franck
That is breaking information. Test again for updates.