Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed more than a dozen women and created a sexually hostile work environment during his tenure, federal prosecutors said Friday.
The announcement by the Justice Department, which supports findings from an earlier state probe, included a settlement agreement with the New York State Executive Chamber resolving sexual harassment and retaliation claims against the Democratic former governor.
DOJ found Cuomo sexually harassed 13 women over eight years.
“Governor Cuomo repeatedly subjected these female employees to unwelcome, non-consensual sexual contact; ogling; unwelcome sexual comments; gender-based nicknames; comments on their physical appearances; and/or preferential treatment based on their physical appearances,” the settlement agreement states.
Senior staff in the governor’s administration were allegedly aware of the harassment but did not report it and in some cases retaliated against the women, according to DOJ.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, one former aide wrote in a blog post that Cuomo allegedly invited her to play strip poker on a private plane.
On August 3, 2021, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a report finding that Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women in his employ and had also created a hostile work environment for them. The governor resigned later that month after serving in the office since 2011.
The settlement agreement released Friday put in writing reforms that Gov. Kathy Hochul, Cuomo’s successor, enacted to help prevent similar misconduct, including complaint processes and anti-retaliation policies.
Cuomo hit back on Friday. His attorney, Rita Glavin, issued a statement Friday blasting DOJ’s investigation and said her client “did not sexually harass anyone,” according to Fox 5. Separately, Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi said DOJ’s investigation “isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on,” according to CBS News.
But lawyers for the women who worked for Cuomo said they hope Friday’s announcement brings lasting change.
“We are pleased the US Attorney’s office and the Executive Chamber have taken serious steps to ensure nothing like the abuse Cuomo engaged in will happen again,” Mariann Wang, a lawyer for two of the women, said in a written statement, according to CNN. “We hope these measures have real impact and prevent the kind of repeated abuse of power that resulted in so much harm to so many women.”
In November, a former aide sued Cuomo alleging that he sexually harassed her between 2019 and 2021. That case remains pending.
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[Feature Photo: Gov. Andrew Cuomo talks on the phone while walking with his dog Captain at the New York State Executive Mansion, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Albany, N.Y. An investigation found that Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women in and out of state government. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)]
