A former adviser to Andrew Cuomo claims the Democratic governor of New York sexually harassed her "for years" when they worked together.
Lindsey Boylan served as deputy secretary for economic development and special advisor in the Cuomo administration from March 2015 until October 2018, according to Newsweek. On Saturday, Boylan accused Gov. Cuomo of sexual harassment from when she was an adviser to him.
In a series of tweets, Boylan outlined her experiences with sexual harassment, which included allegations against Cuomo.
"My first experience of workplace sexual harassment was when my mom got her first real office job after graduating from college when I was in high school," Boylan wrote. "She was so excited to be taken 'seriously.' Her bossed isolated her and kissed her. She never had that type of job again."
"It was then how I learned how hard it is for women. How hard this world can be for us when we are trying to be taken seriously and help our community. How easily jerks can destroy the lives of women," she continued. "And I promised myself I would never let those kind of guys win. I would work hard my whole life to put myself in positions of power to change things. To end the violence & corruption. Give voice to the voiceless. I am not stopping. I refuse. I will never give up."
"Yes, @NYGovCuomo sexually harassed me for years," the Cuomo accuser attested. "Many saw it, and watched. I could never anticipate what to expect: would I be grilled on my work (which was very good) or harassed about my looks. Or would it be both in the same conversation? This was the way for years."
"Not knowing what to expect what's the most upsetting part aside from knowing that no one would do a damn thing even when they saw it. No one. And I *know* I am not the only woman," she proclaimed.
"I'm angry to be put in this situation at all. That because I am a woman, I can work hard my whole life to better myself and help others and yet still fall victim as countless women over generations have. Mostly silently," Boylan concluded. " I hate that some men, like @NYGovCuomo abuse their power."
Not knowing what to expect what’s the most upsetting part aside from knowing that no one would do a damn thing even… https://t.co/QVx4SQJFF3
— Lindsey Boylan (@Lindsey Boylan)1607869025.0
Earlier this month, Boylan declared that "working for Andrew Cuomo" was the "most toxic team environment" she had ever encountered. The former Cuomo adviser noted that waitressing at Friendly's restaurant as a teenager was an "infinitely more respectful environment," even with customers who poorly tipped.
Boylan added that "if people weren't deathly afraid" of Cuomo, that "they'd be saying the same thing and you'd already know the stories."
"Seriously, the messages and texts I receive when I speak the truth about this...it's a whole book of people who have been harmed," Boylan said of other alleged Cuomo victims.
Boylan claimed that if you're not doing Cuomo's "dirty work," then "your life working for him is endlessly dispiriting."
The former aide said that she "tried to quit three times before it stuck."
Boylan is currently running as a Democratic candidate for Manhattan Borough president in the upcoming 2021 election.
Previously, Boylan ran against Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) in the 2020 Democratic primary. In the 10th congressional district election, Nadler received 68% of the vote compared to only 22% for Boylan.