When 63-year-old former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned Aug. 13, it was due to a three-month investigation by New York Atty. Gen. Letitia James. James found that 11 separate women, most of whom former state employees, complained about Cuomo’s sexual harassment, despite all of the former governor’s denials, saying he did nothing wrong and meant no harm. Today, Cuomo was charged in Albany City Court with a single case of misdemeanor sexual assault, alleging that he forcibly touched the breast of an unnamed victim. Filed in the Albany City Court by the County Sheriff’s Department, the charge adds insult-to-injury. Stating that Cuomo “intentionally and for no legitimate purpose” placed his hand under the blouse and onto a an “intimate body part,” Cuomo must now defend himself in Albany City Court, another humiliating twist in the former governor’s fall from grace.
Taking place Dec. 7, 2000, the alleged crime confirms what’s been known by at least 11 victims of Cuomo’s sexual harassment, though none of the past charges was so specific. Whether Cuomo claims he was engaged in a consensual sexual act is anyone’s guess. One thing’s for sure, Cuomo’s murky denials now come to full life with a more specific allegation of sexual assault. When Cuomo fended off allegation of sexual harassment, it was more about inappropriate workplace violations that ran afoul with New York State law. Today’s charge in Albany City Court goes further to accuse the former governor of inappropriate touching. If he acknowledges the event took place, it certainly confirms everything known about workplace harassment but validates that things went further with Cuomo. If he claims the affection exchanged was consensual, it confirms workplace harassment.
New York Atty. Gen. James spent months interviewing Cuiomo’s alleged victims, before the hue-and-cry for resignation became deafening. Unlike his predecessor 62-year-old former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, Cuomo didn’t pay high-priced prostitutes across state lines, only used his office to harass young women looking to advance their careers. Spitzer harassed no one in his office but breached state and federal laws prohibiting prostitution, a well-established crime in practically every county in the United States, other than rural parts of Nevada. Cuomo, on the other hand, used his interns for gratification he wasn’t getting at home because his marriage failed in 2005 and domestic partnership with Sandra Lee ended in 2019. James detailed report said many of his alleged victims reported the same thing, namely, Cuomo asked them if they had a problem dating an older man.
James gave great details in her report before Cuomo threw in the towel. “Specifically, we find that the Governor sexually harassed a number of current and former New York State employees by, among other things, engaging in unwelcome and nonconsensual touching as we la s making numerous offensive comments of a suggestive and sexual nature that created a hostile work environment for women,” Letitia’s report said before Andrew’s resignation. New York’s Assembly was actively involved in an impeachment probe before Cuomo announced his resignation. Cuomo’s position was he did nothing wrong, simply showed affection like any old-school politician. Cuomo’s victims, on the other hand, complained he put them under continuous distress while on the job. Today’s filing in Albany City Court shows that at least one victim wants her day in court.
Politicians and others in high power relationships sometimes get into trouble when they cross the line into personal relationships, seeking gratification from their employees because it’s not readily available at home or in their private lives. Today’s “#MeToo” movement rejects the old-school harassment where women were routinely exploited for sexual gratification by high-power men. Cuomo can’t argue that he had a consensual relationship because it fully exposes him to workplace harassment, in many respects a far more egregious crime. How forcibly touching one’s breast constitutes a “misdemeanor” is anyone’s guess. Cuomo lost his career due to his inappropriate behavior, now must defend himself against a more specific sexual battery allegation. Talking about consensual relationship opens another can of worms, especially with past or current employees looking for justice.
When Cuomo left office Aug. 23 he struck a defiant tone for anyone trying to pursue criminal charges against him. “Let me say no that when government politicizes allegations and the headlines condemn without facts, you undermine the justice system and that doesn’t serve women and it doesn’t serve men or society,” Cuomo said in his goodbye speech. Making public statements like that invited the current charges against the former governor, essentially blaming at least 11 women for a political hit job. “I understand that there are moments of intense political pressure and media frenzy that cause a rush to judgment, but that is not right. It’s not fair or sustainable. Facts still matter,” Cuomo said, infuriating the women subjected to his abuse. Had he left quietly, Andrews might have not been charged.
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