28 December 2021: Westchester DA Says Allegations Against Cuomo Are Credible, But Won't Be Charged

Westchester DA Allegations Against Cuomo Credible, But Can't Be Charged

We fixed this report's headline for the timeline entry's headline. Here's the story:

Westchester County prosecutors found that two separate allegations of inappropriate behavior against former governor Andrew Cuomo were "credible" but could not be charged as crimes under New York law.

"Our investigation found credible evidence to conclude that the alleged conduct in both instances described above did occur. However, in both instances, my Office has determined that, although the allegations and witnesses were credible, and the conduct concerning, we cannot pursue criminal charges due to the statutory requirements of the criminal laws of New York," Westchester County DA Miriam Rocah said in a statement.

Rocah's office investigated two allegations: a claim by a member of Cuomo's security detail he'd inappropriately kissed her on the cheek, and a second by a woman who alleged the then-governor took her by the arm and kissed her cheek at a high school event.

The "statutory requirements" referenced by Westchester County DA Miriam Rocah refers to the statute of limitations that applies under New York state law, which requires victims to report their allegations within a limited period of time after the event occurred.

This is the second county DA to decline pursuing criminal charges against Andrew M. Cuomo's alleged sexual harassment, after Nassau County did ahead of the Christmas holiday, and also the second to call the allegations by the female victims in their county "credible". At present, criminal misdemeanor charges are still pending Andrew M. Cuomo in Albany County.