3 August 2021: NY Attorney General: Cuomo Sexually Harassed Multiple Women

Gov. Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, probe finds

The Associated Press is first out of the gate with a report of New York Attorney General Letitia James' findings of her office's investigation of sexual harassment allegations levied by multiple women against New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.

An investigation into New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo found that he sexually harassed multiple current and former state government employees, state Attorney General Letitia James announced Tuesday.

The nearly five-month investigation, conducted by two outside lawyers who spoke to 179 people, found that the Cuomo administration was a “hostile work environment” and that it was “rife with fear and intimidation.”

People interviewed included complainants, current and former members of the executive chamber, State troopers, additional state employees and others who interacted regularly with the governor.

“These interviews and pieces of evidence revealed a deeply disturbing yet clear picture: Gov. Cuomo sexually harassed current and former state employees, federal and state laws,” James said at a press conference on Tuesday.

On at least one occasion, the investigation found, Cuomo and his senior staff worked to retaliate against a former employee who accused him of wrongdoing. Cuomo was also found to have harassed women outside of government, the investigation found.>

Perhaps the most unsurprising part of James' announcement is the toxic nature of the work environment Cuomo and his senior aides have fostered. The retaliation against a former employee described in the final paragraph of the excerpt refers to actions taken to release the personnel records of Lindsey Boylan, the first woman to come forward to allege sexual harassment by Andrew M. Cuomo.

The next question to be answered: Will the report lead to criminal charges?