After an investigation found that Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, the New York Democrat attacked his accusers, saying they "discredit the legitimate sexual harassment victims."
In a pre-recorded response to an explosive report published Tuesday by New York attorney general Letitia James (D.), Cuomo painted his accusers as liars who undermine "legitimate" sexual victims. "For those who are using this moment to score political points or seek publicity or personal gain, I say they actually discredit the legitimate sexual harassment victims that the law was designed to protect," he said.
Governor Cuomo Responds to Independent Reviewer Report: https://t.co/sgPuPEDXRU
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) August 3, 2021
The report from James found Cuomo "sexually harassed current and former state employees in violation of both federal and state laws." James said the accusations against Cuomo are credible and cover a wide range of both verbal and physical sexual harassment. Female staffers accused the Democrat of groping and kissing them without consent as well as engaging in sexually charged and inappropriate conversations.
"The investigation found that Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed current and former New York State employees by engaging in unwelcome and nonconsensual touching and making numerous offensive comments," James said.
New York Democratic congressmen Tom Suozzi, Gregory Meeks, and Hakeem Jeffries called on Cuomo to resign during his Tuesday afternoon address. President Joe Biden in March said Cuomo should resign if an investigation confirmed the sexual harassment allegations levied against him.
"I think he'll probably end up being prosecuted, too," Biden said, adding that "a woman should be presumed telling the truth and should not be scapegoated and become victimized by her coming forward."
While James's report accused Cuomo of violating multiple laws, the attorney general deferred any criminal charges to the Albany Police Department.