Governor Andrew Cuomo on Sunday tried to declare allegations of sexual harassment as “jokes” misinterpreted as “unwanted flirtation” – as his office called on the Attorney General to appoint an investigator to meet the demands of two examine former staff members, pronounce.
“At work I sometimes think I’m playful and make jokes that I think are funny. “I sometimes tease people in a good way,” Cuomo said in a prepared statement.
“I now understand that my interaction could have been insensitive or too personal and that some of my comments, given my position, made others feel in ways I never intended,” he continued. ‘I admit that some of the things I said were misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation. To the extent that someone felt that way, I’m really sorry about that. ”
The statement comes a day after Charlotte Bennett, 25, a former Cuomo staffer, told the New York Times that the 63-year-old governor made a series of inappropriate remarks that convinced her he “wanted to sleep”. .
The allegation, in turn, comes less than a week after another former co-worker, Lindsey Boylan, elaborated on the allegations she first exposed in December 2020, claiming Cuomo kissed her on the lips without warning.
While acknowledging remarks that may have crossed the line, Cuomo again denied on Sunday that he was going any further.
“To be clear, I never touched anyone improperly and I never proposed to anyone and I never intended to make anyone feel uncomfortable,” he said. “But these are allegations that New Yorkers deserve answers to.”
Cuomo’s statement was issued minutes after his special counsel and senior adviser Beth Garvey flashed back and forth for an hour with State Attorney General Letitia James about how to investigate the allegations.
“The governor’s office wants a thorough and independent investigation that is above reproach and out of political interference,” Garvey said in a statement. “Therefore, the governor’s office has asked Attorney General Tish James to select a qualified private lawyer to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations of sexual harassment.”
James requested on Sunday morning that Cuomo’s administration give her office the sole authority to appoint an independent investigator with subpoena powers.
However, the Cuomo government – which on Saturday slammed former federal judge Barbara Jones on the investigation – a widespread move because Jones once worked with Cuomo’s former top assistant Steve Cohen, responded with a counter-offer.
Garvey said James’ office could work with Judge Janet DiFiore – a nominee in Cuomo – to agree on an investigator.
James retorted that her office had the sole power under the law to appoint an independent investigator.
As the pressure increased, Cuomo bowed.
“The independent attorney will be legally designated as a Special Independent Deputy Advocate-General and will exercise all powers conferred under Section 63 (8) of the Executive Act,” Garvey’s latest statement continued.
“If necessary, other lawyers from the appointed law firm will also be appointed to assist with the review. The lawyer must report their findings in public.
“The governor’s office will cooperate fully on a voluntary basis.”