Current Cuomo aide accuses NY gov of blatant sexual harassment after her friend said he groped her underneath her blouse



A current aide of Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) has accused the New York governor of sexual harassment and misconduct.

Over the last several weeks, multiple women have accused Cuomo of making inappropriate remarks and engaging in disturbing sexual behaviors including making unwelcome advances, including the woman's friend — also a Cuomo aide — who said earlier in March that Cuomo put his hand underneath her blouse and groped her.

The 63-year-old Democrat has denied any wrongdoing.

What are the details?

In a Sunday New York Times report, the aide, Alyssa McGrath, accused Cuomo of "ogling her body, remarking on her looks, and making suggestive comments to her and another woman in his office."

The Times reported that Cuomo called McGrath and a female co-worker "mingle mamas" and inquired about her "lack of a wedding ring" and the status of her divorce.

"She recalled him telling her she was beautiful — in Italian — and, as she sat alone with him in his office awaiting dictation, he gazed down her shirt and commented on a necklace hanging there," the outlet noted.

McGrath, a 33-year-old woman who has been working for the Cuomo administration since 2018, said that during one encounter, she was summoned to Cuomo's office for dictation.

"I put my head down waiting for him to start speaking, and he didn't start speaking," she said. "So I looked up to see what was going on. And he was blatantly looking down my shirt."

She said that Cuomo then asked her, "What's on your necklace?"

The necklace, McGrath said, was in her shirt.

"He has a way of making you feel very comfortable around him, almost like you're his friend," she recalled. "But then you walk away from your encounter or conversation, in your head going, 'I can't believe I just had that interaction with the governor of New York.'"

McGrath said of the continued flow of women making accusations against the governor, "It makes me really upset to hear him speak about this and completely deny all allegations. And I have no doubt in my mind that all of these accusers are telling the truth."

In a statement, Cuomo's lawyer, Rita Glavin, responded to McGrath's allegations by saying that he never made "inappropriate advances or inappropriately touched anyone."

"The governor has greeted men and women with hugs and a kiss on the cheek, forehead, or hand," Glavin said. "Yes, he has posed for photographs with his arm around them. Yes, he uses Italian phrases like 'Ciao bella.' None of this is remarkable, although it may be old-fashioned. He has made clear that he has never made inappropriate advances or inappropriately touched anyone."

The Times reported that Cuomo has "asked New Yorkers to await the outcome of two investigations into the multiple allegations of sexual harassment against him before passing judgment."

McGrath said that during a 2019 Christmas party, Cuomo "kissed [her] on the forehead."

"And in the picture we posed with him that year, he is gripping our sides very tightly," she recalled.

McGrath has continued to go to work amid the burgeoning number of allegations against the Democratic lawmaker.

"She says that executive offices are largely quiet, far from the heady days of Mr. Cuomo's pandemic-related popularity, when the halls of the Capitol buzzed with excitement and purpose," the Times noted.

Anything else?

Earlier in March, a Cuomo aide said that he reached underneath her blouse and groped her chest while the two were alone in the executive mansion.

McGrath said that the woman — her co-worker, who has not been publicly identified at the time of this reporting — "froze" when the alleged interaction took place.

"She froze when he started doing that stuff to her," she said. "But who are you going to tell?"

McGrath said that the co-worker told her that Cuomo directed her not to talk to McGrath — with whom she shares a friendly relationship — about the alleged incident.

"He told her specifically not to tell me," she said.

The Times noted, "Over the last three years, Ms. McGrath said, the governor had seemingly fostered an unusual work triangle with her and her friend, the co-worker he allegedly groped, blending a professional relationship with unwanted attention. There was paternalistic patter, but also a commandeering, sometimes invasive physicality."

In a statement, Mariann Wang, an attorney for McGrath, told the Times, "This would be unacceptable behavior from any boss, much less the governor."

"The women in the executive chamber are there to work for the State of New York," Wang added, "not serve as [Cuomo's] eye candy or prospective girlfriend."

Biden refuses to call for Andrew Cuomo's resignation, but previously said women should be believed



President Joe Biden finally responded to the growing sexual misconduct scandal facing New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D).

Cuomo stands accused of asking female aides about their sex lives and kissing women without their permission, along with an accusation that he "aggressively groped" a female aide working at the governor's mansion. Cuomo has denied the allegations.

The incident of alleged groping was referred to the Albany Police Department by the New York State Police, the New York Times reported. Investigators, however, have not opened a criminal investigation into Cuomo, and the New York attorney general's office is leading the probe into the allegations.

What did Biden say?

Responding to a question from a reporter on Sunday, Biden refused to demand Cuomo's resignation, despite most prominent New York Democrats and top Democrats in general having already condemned Cuomo.

The reporter asked, "Do you think Gov. Andrew Cuomo should resign?"

"I think the investigation is under way and we should see what it brings us," Biden responded.

Biden's posture toward the allegations facing Cuomo is drastically different compared to his response when he reflected on his handling of Anita Hill's allegations against Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas in 1991. At the time, Biden was chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, giving him significant control over how the Senate handled Hill's allegations.

In 2018, while reflecting on his handling of the Hill allegations — during Brett Kavanaugh's Senate confirmation, during which multiple women made unsubstantiated allegations of sexual misconduct against him — Biden said that women should be believed.

"For a woman to come forward in the glaring lights of focus, nationally, you've got to start off with the presumption that at least the essence of what she's talking about is real, whether or not she forgets facts, whether or not it's been made worse or better over time. But nobody fails to understand that this is like jumping into a cauldron," Biden said, the Washington Post reported.

What has VP Harris said?

Vice President Kamala Harris, herself a champion of believing women who allege sexual misconduct against men, has also rebuffed questions about Cuomo, so far refusing to say whether the disgraced governor should resign.

Harris once said she believed the women who accused Biden of inappropriate touching.

"I believe them and I respect them being able to tell their story and having the courage to do it," Harris said in 2019.

Breaking: US Senate Leader Chuck Schumer calls for Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign over sexual harassment claims



U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called for the resignation of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) over the claims of sexual harassment by numerous women in recent weeks.

Schumer released a joint statement with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) on Friday as yet another accuser came forward against the embattled governor.

"Confronting and overcoming the Covid crisis requires sure and steady leadership," read the statement.

"We commend the brave actions of the individuals who have come forward with serious allegations of abuse and misconduct. Due to the multiple, credible sexual harassment and misconduct allegations, it is clear that Governor Cuomo has lost the confidence of his governing partners and the people of New York," they continued.

"Governor Cuomo should resign," they concluded.

The announcement came on the same day as a seventh accuser claimed that Cuomo had acted inappropriately with her. Jessica Bakeman said that the governor had made suggestive comments while touching her without her consent during her time as a reporter for Politico New York.

Cuomo said earlier on Friday that he would not resign despite a growing number of demands, many from powerful members of his own party. He also claimed that he was a victim of cancel culture.

"People know the difference between playing politics, bowing to cancel culture, and the truth," Cuomo said during a media briefing.

"Let the review proceed. I'm not going to resign," he added defiantly. "I was not elected by the politicians; I was elected by the people."

On Wednesday, the New York Assembly Speaker, also a Democrat, said that he had authorized an impeachment investigation into the harassment accusations.

Critics have upbraided CNN for allowing their anchor Chris Cuomo to interview his brother while the governor was facing a growing scandal around his order to send coronavirus patients for care at nursing homes, and the deaths that ensued.

Here's more about the newest calls for Cuomo to resign:

Senators Schumer And Gillibrand Call For Gov. Cuomo's Resignationwww.youtube.com

Latest allegations against NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo referred to Albany police



The Albany Police Department has been notified of the latest sexual harassment allegations against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) and is offering their services to the alleged victim, should she wish to file a criminal complaint.

Albany police officials who spoke to the New York Times said the latest reported incident between the governor and a former female aide who is much younger than he may have risen "to the level of a crime."

A spokesman for the department said they have not received a formal complaint from the woman nor opened a criminal investigation, but they have offered their help to her, "as we would do with any other report or incident."

State police contacted Albany police after the Albany Times Union reported the latest accusations against the governor, made by an unidentified aide who said that at the governor's mansion late last year Cuomo reached under her blouse and "aggressively groped her." The former aide is the sixth woman to accuse Cuomo of sexual harassment.

Cuomo's lawyer Beth Garvey told the Times that she had contacted the police department and reported the allegations against the governor, following state policy. She also said a lawyer for the female aide told the governor's office that the aide does not wish to file a police report.

"As a matter of state policy, when allegations of physical contact are made, the agency informs the complainant that they should contact their local police department," Garvey said in a statement. "If they decline, the agency has an obligation to reach out themselves and inform the department of the allegation."

She added: "In this case, the person is represented by counsel and when counsel confirmed the client did not want to make a report, the state notified the police department and gave them the attorney's information."

The Albany Times Union reported Wednesday that the female aide "had been called to the mansion under the apparent pretext of having her assist the governor with a minor technical issue involving his mobile phone."

After the aide was alone with Cuomo on the second floor of the governor's mansion, she claims he closed the door and allegedly reached under her blouse and began to fondle her without her consent.

Gov. Cuomo has forcefully denied these allegations.

"I have never done anything like this," Cuomo said in a statement Wednesday, calling the Times Union report "gut-wrenching."

He refused to speak to the specifics of the allegations, referring to the ongoing review by state Attorney General Letitia James and expressing confidence in her forthcoming report on all of the allegations.

New York Republicans introduce articles of impeachment against Gov. Cuomo



New York Republican lawmakers have moved to impeach Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) after he steadfastly refused to resign following multiple accusations from women of sexual harassment and an explosive report that his aides worked to cover up COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes.

Recently, Cuomo has faced several calls for his resignation from state Democratic leaders and from the Albany Times Union, but said Sunday "there is no way I resign." Now Republicans have forced the issue in the state Assembly by introducing articles of impeachment against the governor Monday.

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R) admitted that the Democratic majority will determine whether the articles of impeachment move forward, but said Monday, "We're going to keep pounding on this issue."

Nearly 30 Democratic lawmakers have called on the governor to resign his office, including Democratic state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. In a statement released Sunday, she said the growing scandals about sexual harassment, the toxic work environment surrounding the governor, and his handling of the coronavirus pandemic in nursing homes have distracted from the needs of New Yorkers during the pandemic.

"We need to govern without daily distraction. For the good of the state Governor Cuomo must resign," Stewart-Cousins said.

Democratic state Assembly Majority Leader Carl Heastie (D) also issued a statement sharing the Senate majority leader's sentiment "regarding the Governor's ability to continue to lead this state."

""We have many challenges to address, and I think it is time for the Governor to seriously consider whether he can effectively meet the needs of the people of New York," he said.

Cuomo on Sunday smeared calls for his resignation as anti-Democratic.

"I was elected by the people of the state. I wasn't elected by politicians," Cuomo told reporters. "I'm not gonna resign because of allegations."

New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) has launched an investigation into the accusations of sexual harassment against Cuomo.

Anna Ruch, Lindsey Boylan, and Charlotte Bennett each came forward in recent weeks to accuse Cuomo of unwanted physical touching and uncomfortable or inappropriate discussions of a sexual nature. Former Cuomo aides Ana Liss and Karen Hinton on Saturday night also came forward with their own allegations of sexual harassment against the governor.

There is also a federal inquiry into the Cuomo administration's handling of data on COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes. The New York Times reported last week that top aides to the governor rewrote a report that was prepared by the New York State Department of Health in June 2020 to omit many of the nursing home deaths recorded in New York. The report, citing unnamed officials in Cuomo's administration, alleged that the data was manipulated to protect Cuomo from political fallout related to his executive order forcing nursing homes to accept patients from hospitals that tested positive for COVID-19.

Cuomo and his aides have denied all of the allegations, both about sexual harassment and manipulating COVID-19 nursing home death data. Cuomo said last week that he often hugs and kisses people in a friendly manner, and that talks with staff about their romantic relationships was meant to be banter, not propositioning.

Since Cuomo has refused to resign, Barclay challenged state Democrats to support impeachment to put their votes where their mouths are. At least six Democratic lawmakers in New York have voiced support for impeaching Cuomo. To move forward, a majority of the New York State Assembly's 150 lawmakers will need to vote for the articles of impeachment.

""If they really believe in resignation, why not start impeachment?" Barclay told reporters in Albany.

"The real problem now is the governor has lost so much credibility and trust that we don't feel like he can go forward and govern," Barclay said.

New York stat Senate majority leader says Cuomo 'must resign' after fifth accuser comes forward



New York Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins is demanding that Gov. Andrew Cuomo resign. The call for Cuomo's resignation by the top Democrat in the New York state Senate arrives a day after two more women came forward with new accusations of sexual harassment against the New York governor.

Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) issued a statement on Sunday afternoon, where she said Cuomo "must resign."

"Every day there is another account that is drawing away from the business of government," Stewart-Cousins said. "We have allegations about sexual harassment, a toxic work environment, the loss of credibility surrounding the COVID-19 nursing home data and questions about the construction of a major infrastructure project."

"New York is still in the midst of this pandemic and is still facing the societal, health and economic impacts of it," she added. "We need to govern without daily distraction. For the good of the state Governor Cuomo must resign."

Last week, Stewart-Cousins received criticism for saying that she wouldn't call for Cuomo's resignation despite there being three credible accusers, but would ask him to resign if there were more than three accusers.

"Any further people coming forward, I think it would be time to resign," she said last week. "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. I applaud women who have been through this for coming forward."

Stewart-Cousins has a history of denouncing sexual harassment in the workplace, which caused many to question why she wasn't demanding Cuomo resign earlier.

Another top New York Democrat also hinted that Cuomo should step down following the allegations. New York Assembly Majority Leader Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) issued a statement following Stewart-Cousins' announcement.

"The allegations pertaining to the Governor that have been reported in recent weeks have been deeply disturbing, and have no place whatsoever in government, the workplace or anywhere else," Heastie said. "I too share the sentiment of Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins regarding the Governor's ability to continue to lead this state."

"We have many challenges to address, and I think it is time for the Governor to seriously consider whether he can effectively meet the needs of the people of New York," he stated.

Cuomo has denied the accusations, saying he "never inappropriately touched anybody" and "never propositioned anybody."

"I acknowledge some of the things I have said have been misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation," the governor said. "To the extent anyone felt that way, I am truly sorry about that."

On Sunday during a press conference, Cuomo proclaimed, "There is no way I resign."

"I was elected by the people of the state. I wasn't elected by politicians," Cuomo said during a news conference call with reporters. "I'm not gonna resign because of allegations."

New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) has launched an investigation into the accusations of sexual harassment against Cuomo.

Anna Ruch, Lindsey Boylan, and Charlotte Bennett came forward last week with accusations of Cuomo sexually harassing them with unwanted physical touching and uncomfortable or inappropriate discussions. Former aides Ana Liss and Karen Hinton came forward with allegations against Cuomo on Saturday night.

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."