New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is now facing sexual assault allegations from a former aide, Lindsey Boylan. Boylan stated that, back in December of 2018, after a one-on-one briefing in his New York City office, Governor Cuomo had stolen an unwanted kiss from her. Boylan recounted the event; “As I got up to leave and walk toward an open door, he stepped in front of me and kissed me on the lips…I was in shock, but I kept walking.”
Regardless of the severe accusations against him, Cuomo denied the allegations during a press conference back when Boylan first accused him. the governor’s press secretary, Caitlin Girouard, took Governor Cuomo’s side by also denying the allegation. “As we said before, Ms. Boylan’s claims of inappropriate behavior are quite simply false,” Girouard said.
However, after Boylan’s story came to light, many other allegations from other former aides became known regarding Governor Cuomo’s inappropriate behavior. The most recent allegation was brought up by Charlotte Bennett. She was an executive assistant and health policy adviser for Cuomo, she eventually left in November of 2020.
According to the Times, Bennett claimed that Cuomo would often ask her personal questions, such as whether age mattered in a romantic relationship. “I understood that the governor wanted to sleep with me, and felt horribly uncomfortable and scared,” Bennett stated. Bennet also went on Twitter to support Lindsey Boylan’s story on working with Cuomo, assuring that she wasn’t the only one that had experienced this.
Due to the many accusations against Cuomo, the issue is now being noticed by the White House. Press secretary Jen Psaki has claimed that when it comes to sexual harassment allegations every person should have a right to have their voices heard and be let to explain their story thoroughly. “The President has been consistent in his position. When a person comes forward — they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Their voice should be heard, not silenced. And any allegation should be reviewed,” Psaki stated. Even New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has expressed his opinion about the allegations and called for a “full and independent investigation.”
“Look, these allegations are really disturbing, let’s be clear about that, they’re really disturbing,” de Blasio said, “When a woman comes forward with this kind of very specific allegation, they have to be taken seriously.” For many years, Cuomo and de Blasio had long adversity between each other, especially about serious topics regarding the city of New York and how it should be managed. It was confirmed that Cuomo would attend a Governor’s Association meeting at the White House regarding the situation.
The sexual harassment allegation came as Governor Andrew Cuomo is now facing criticism on how he handled the death data for nursing homes in New York because of COVID-19. CNN has reported that an investigation of COVID-19 deaths in these facilities is being handled by the US Attorney’s office in Brooklyn and the FBI.
More updated information about the allegations can be found on CNN and NPR platforms.