17 July 2021: What's at Stake in Cuomo's Sexual Harassment Deposition?

Why Cuomo's sit down with investigators could be pivotal

This analysis describes what's at stake heading into Andrew M. Cuomo's Saturday, 17 July 2021 deposition:

The process formally began in February, when Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office empowered Attorney General Letitia James to investigate claims of sexual harassment leveled against him by multiple women.

On Saturday, after weeks of calls for his resignation from prominent Democrats and a sustained period of limbo for much of Albany, Cuomo will be questioned by investigators in a sit-down that could determine his political future.

"He's already made statements to the press about some of these allegations," said Sarah Burger, a Saratoga Springs-based attorney who specializes in workplace harassment law. "And the more statements you make, you have to be careful as a witness because he could start contradicting himself and damage his own credibility."

Debra Katz, an attorney representing Charlotte Bennett, one of the women who have come forward to accuse Andrew M. Cuomo of sexual harassment, describes how the deposition may be different from Cuomo's news briefings:

"He will not be able to deflect questions like he has at his press conference and he will not be able to play with words. Will he admit to his inappropriate behavior, or will he continue his ridiculous lies and victim blaming? Which story will he tell this time?"