Bill de Blasio: Andrew Cuomo’s Denial of Sexual Harassment Allegations Is Not Credible
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) made it clear on Tuesday that he does not consider Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s (D) denial of the mounting allegations of sexual harassment against him credible.
“Do you believe the governor and his response to these allegations? Do you think what he is saying is credible at this point?” a reporter asked the mayor, who issued a clear response.
“No,” de Blasio stated without hesitation:
The New York City mayor has remained a consistent critic of Cuomo as the allegations of inappropriate behavior have continued to mount. Last week, a former press aide stepped forward, joining Cuomo’s other accusers. She alleged that the Democrat politician once invited her to his hotel room over two decades ago, when he led the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Former policy aide Ana Liss also jumped into the fray, alleging that Cuomo “allegedly called her ‘sweetheart,’ kissed her hand once, and asked personal questions such as if she had a boyfriend” when she worked for the governor between 2013 and 2015, as Breitbart News reported.
“I just don’t see how he can govern effectively when fewer and fewer people believe him,” de Blasio told reporters on Monday. “And I think there’s more information that’s going to come out that makes it harder and harder.”
JUST IN: Mayor Bill de Blasio predicts "there's more information that's going to come out" on Gov. Andrew Cuomo. pic.twitter.com/0IuXoGkdMf
— Forbes (@Forbes) March 8, 2021
Cuomo has continued to deny the allegations, admitting only to unintentionally acting in a way that “made people feel uncomfortable.”
“I truly and deeply apologize for it. I feel awful about it, and frankly, I am embarrassed by it, and that’s not easy to say. But that’s the truth,” he told reporters last week, agreeing to cooperate with an independent review conducted by the attorney general and urging New Yorkers to “get the facts” before forming an opinion.
Cuomo reiterated that there is “no way” he will resign, despite the increasing calls for him to step down.
Sixth Woman Accuses Gov. Andrew Cuomo of Sexual Harassment
A sixth woman has brought forth allegations of sexual harassment against Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), claiming that the governor inappropriately touched her last year at the governor’s mansion, according to a Tuesday report.
The Times-Union reported:
An official close to the matter on Tuesday confirmed to the Times Union that the new allegation had been made. The governor’s office learned of the matter on Monday, an aide said. […] The complaint was reported to the governor’s counsel by other employees in the Executive Chamber. The information also was relayed by the governor’s office to the attorney general’s office, which is coordinating an investigation into multiple allegations of sexual harassment that have been made against the governor.
The Times-Union said that the alleged victim, whose identity has been withheld by the newspaper, is an Executive Chamber staff member. Their are no additional details known about the allegation at this time.
The development comes after New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) appointed independent lawyers to review allegations against Cuomo. Joon Kim, former acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, and employment lawyer Anne Clark will undertake the investigation.
James said in a Monday statement: “There is no question that they both have the knowledge and background necessary to lead this investigation and provide New Yorkers with the answers they deserve.”
Cuomo has said that he is “so sorry” about the allegations, but denied touching anyone “inappropriately.”
“I want you to know this from me directly: I never touched anyone inappropriately,” he said in a press conference last week. “I never knew at the time that I was making anyone feel uncomfortable. And I certainly never, ever meant to offend anyone or hurt anyone or cause anyone any pain.”
The appointments came as New York lawmakers were privately debating whether to join calls for Cuomo to resign, or urge patience while the investigation plays out.
A group of 21 women in the state Assembly released a statement Monday asking that James be given time to complete her probe.
The group included the the no. 2 Democrat in the Assembly, Majority Leader Crystal People-Stokes. The lawmakers began working on the statement Sunday night after the Senate’s top leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, called on Cuomo to resign.
The Associated Press contribution to this report.
Top Lawyer Leaving Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Administration
Kumiki Gibson, Counsel to the Governor, is leaving her post as Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s (D-NY) top lawyer as her embattled boss is marred in scandal sparked by his handling of coronavirus death data regarding his state’s nursing homes and allegations of sexual harassment brought forth by former aides.
“I informed the Executive Chamber a month ago that I planned to leave State service and have accepted a position at a nationally prominent not-for-profit organization,” Gibson said in a statement obtained by the New York Post. “It has been an honor and privilege to work for the Governor and the people of the State of New York. I remain deeply impressed with the talent and dedication of my legal team and will forever be grateful for having the opportunity to serve New Yorkers.”
Gibson, who joined the Cuomo administration in since September 2019, is slated to leave her post after less than two years on the job.
Gibson isn’t the only Cuomo aide to depart in recent days. On Friday, the Cuomo administration announced that press secretary Caitlin Girouard and interim policy adviser Erin Hammond had departed.
“Caitlin is a world-class, top-flight communications professional who is well respected in New York, Washington, and beyond,” Cuomo communications director Peter Ajemian said in a statement. “She’s been a real rock for our press shop, especially during the past year fighting the pandemic, and we wish her nothing but the best in her next chapter.”
Rich Azzopardi, a spokesman for Cuomo, said Hammond had planned to exit her role months ago.
“Her departure allows her to focus on her family,” said Azzopardi.
It’s the latest blow for Cuomo, who’s been besieged by a one-two punch of scandals involving his handling of nursing home deaths and accusations that he sexually harassed two former aides and a woman that he met at a wedding he officiated.
Cuomo had apologized Wednesday for acting “in a way that made people feel uncomfortable” but rejected calls for his resignation and said he would fully cooperate with the state attorney general’s investigation into the sexual harassment allegations. Federal investigators are scrutinizing his administration’s handling of nursing home data.
Top Democrats in the state have said they want those investigations to conclude before they make a judgment about Cuomo’s conduct, but in the wake of Thursday night’s report, a few state lawmakers renewed calls for the governor to either resign or be ousted.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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