New York Governor Cuomo Sexually Harassed Women, State Investigation Finds | Politics News

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Probe reveals a “deeply disturbing, but clear picture” of illegal sexual conduct against young women in “toxic” workplaces.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has engaged in a model of sexual harassment of female employees in his state office, violating federal and state laws, an independent investigation by the Attorney General’s office has found. ‘State.

“The investigation revealed that Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed current and former New York State employees by engaging in unwelcome and non-consensual touching and making numerous offensive comments of a suggestive and sexual nature that resulted in created a hostile work environment for women, ”the New York attorney said. said General Letitia James.

“The independent investigation found that Governor Cuomo sexually harassed several women, many of whom were young women, by indulging in unwanted groping, kissing, hugging and making inappropriate comments,” James said during the investigation. of a press conference on Tuesday.

Once a rising star in the Democratic Party, Cuomo now faces potential lawsuits and possible criminal prosecution amid growing calls for his resignation for the harassment documented in the independent investigation.

Eleven women shared stories of a “hostile and toxic work environment” with independent investigators retained by the state attorney general’s office, which will release a full report to the public, James said.

New York State Attorney General Letitia James said an investigation found New York Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed several women [Eduardo Munoz/Reuters]

Investigators spoke to 179 people, including Cuomo executive staff and state police protection officers over a five-month period and examined more than 74,000 pieces of evidence, including emails. , texts, audio files and images.

“These interviews and evidence reveal a deeply disturbing but clear picture,” said James, who does not intend to press charges against the governor by the state, instead leaving the legal fallout of the investigation to the civil courts.

“We have completed our investigation. Our work is done. As to the next steps, it is entirely up to the Governor, the General Assembly and the general public, ”said James.

Cuomo has denied the sexual harassment allegations of at least six women against him and refused to resign as the most senior official in New York State government.

“What is alleged did not happen,” Cuomo said at a March 12 press conference.

“I didn’t have an inappropriate sexual relationship, period,” Cuomo said.

State investigators on Tuesday described retaliation by the governor and his top aides against women who made allegations against him.

Police in the Albany state capital have a report from a woman who said Cuomo touched her chest, investigators said.

President Joe Biden said in March, at the start of the inquiry, that Cuomo would have to resign if he confirmed the allegations of sexual harassment against the governor.

“I think he would probably end up being sued as well,” Biden told ABC News, when asked about the allegations against Cuomo.

A group of 59 New York state lawmakers, along with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, called for Cuomo’s resignation in March after an allegation surfaced that Cuomo groped a government aide at the governor’s state residence last year.

“The specific allegation that the governor called one of his employees, someone over whom he had power, called them to a private location and then sexually assaulted her – this is absolutely unacceptable,” he said. de Blasio, a Democrat who publicly argued with Cuomo, said at the time.



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