New York Democratic leader indicates 3 accusers isn't enough to demand Cuomo's resignation, 4 is the magic number



It was only a few years ago that Democrats championed the #MeToo and #BelieveAllWomen movements. However, there is a new motto according to one Democratic leader: Believe all women – as long as there are more than three accusers.

You may have learned that "three is the magic number" from "Schoolhouse Rock," but New York Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D) declares that four is the magic number when it comes to the number of women coming forward with allegations of sexual harassment by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D).

This week, a third woman accused Cuomo of sexual harassment. Anna Ruch, a former Obama administration employee and Biden 2020 campaign staffer, claimed that Cuomo touched her bare back after meeting the New York governor at a wedding in 2019. He also touched her face and allegedly asked Rauch if he could kiss her, she told the New York Times.

Lindsey Boylan, a former Cuomo staffer, claims that the Democratic governor asked his aides to play strip poker, as well as kissed her on the lips and touched her legs without consent.

Charlotte Bennett, a 25-year-old former Cuomo aide, said he sexually harassed her and was grooming her. "He asked me if I believed if age made a difference in relationships and he also asked me in the same conversation if I had ever been with an older man," Bennett said.

Despite the three credible accusers with evidence, Stewart-Cousins said there would need to be at least a fourth accuser for her to call on Cuomo to resign.

Stewart-Cousins appeared Thursday on the Albany public affairs television program, "Capital Tonight," where she was asked what it would take for her to call for the resignation of Cuomo.

"Any further people coming forward, I think it would be time to resign," she told Spectrum News host Susan Arbetter.

"I am at a place, and we are all at this place, where it's always hard when you think something is resolved, and find that there is still so much work to do," she added. "I applaud women who have been through this for coming forward."

Stewart-Cousins said that she may ask Cuomo to step down after New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) completes her investigation into the accusations against the governor. The investigation could take weeks to complete.

Bennett gave an interview to CBS News this week, where she said, "I understood that the governor wanted to sleep with me, and felt horribly uncomfortable and scared."

Stewart-Cousins was asked about Bennett's interview on New York 1's "Inside City Hall."

"It's heartbreaking in a number of ways," she told NY1. "The fact that we are here at this time in 2021 really having this conversation."

"I didn't get a chance to see the entire interview but it's clear that you know she's traumatized in a profound way," she added.

Only a few months ago, Stewart-Cousins spoke out against sexual harassment. In November, she held a news conference where she pledged to, "Protect women's rights and health care options and combat sexual harassment."

In 2019, Stewart-Cousins wrote on Twitter, "No one should have to endure sexual harassment or mistreatment in the workplace. For too long, our state was held back from making real progress in the fight against sexual harassment."

"Thanks to the new @NYSenDems, major strides were made in combating this inappropriate behavior and addressing the priorities of the survivors of sexual harassment," she tweeted.

Thanks to the new @NYSenDems, major strides were made in combating this inappropriate behavior and addressing the p… https://t.co/C2SPuEjx5R
— Sen. Stewart-Cousins (@Sen. Stewart-Cousins) 1565624610.0

In 2018, Stewart-Cousins wrote an op-ed for The Journal News, titled "Senate GOP foils #MeToo moment with insult and intimidation." In a tweet promoting the article, she wrote, "Check out my op-ed on the need to truly confront #SexualHarassment."

Check out my op-ed on the need to truly confront #SexualHarassment. Via @lohud: Senate GOP foils #MeToo moment wit… https://t.co/paSUYou1Cb
— Sen. Stewart-Cousins (@Sen. Stewart-Cousins) 1517582161.0

Cuomo issued a statement on the allegations, but skirted taking any blame. Instead, Cuomo said, "I acknowledge some of the things I have said have been misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation. To the extent anyone felt that way, I am truly sorry about that."

"I now understand that my interactions may have been insensitive or too personal and that some of my comments, given my position, made others feel in ways I never intended," Cuomo said.

Cuomo stated he "never inappropriately touched anybody" and "never propositioned anybody."

Former adviser to Andrew Cuomo says New York governor sexually harassed her 'for years'



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.

#MeToo LISTS Names Of The Accused: No Proof? No Problem! | Ep 253

#MeToo LISTS Names Of The Accused: No Proof? No Problem! | Ep 253