Governor Andrew Cuomo is under more hot water after sexual harassment allegations have surfaced from two former aides and one woman he never met. In a medium article written by Lindsey Boylan titled, “My story of working with Governor Cuomo” she describes her experience of the assault and offensive language.
This isn’t the first time Boylan has come forward saying she was sexually assaulted by the Governor. She came forward saying it back towards the end of the year of 2020 on Twitter.
Boylan, 36, is a former state economic development official and aide for Governor Cuomo and is currently running for Manhattan Borough President. In the medium article she wrote that the Governor kissed her at the end of a one-on-one meeting at his New York City office. “As I got up to leave and walk toward an open door, he stepped in front of me and kissed me on the lips. I was in shock, but I kept walking,” she wrote. “The idea that someone might think I held my high-ranking position because of the Governor’s crush on me was more demeaning than the kiss itself.”
Boylan also said on his tax payer funded private jet he asked her if they wanted to play “Strip poker”. Boylan also said that he pointed at the cigar box that was given to him by President Clinton and winked at her. She said that the Monica Lewinsky scandal was still in the back of her mind.
Another former aide, Charlotte Bennett, spoke up last weekend and said she was sexually assaulted as well. A former health advisor until November 2020, Charlotte said Cuomo asked about her sex life and if she ever considered sleeping with older men. Bennett told the New York Times that he never touched her but it was clear Cuomo wanted to sleep with her.
Monday night a third woman, Anna Ruch, came forward saying that she was assaulted by the Governor at a wedding in September 2019. She told the New York Times that he placed his hand on her bare back when she removed his arm he called her “aggressive.” She also added that Cuomo placed his hand on her cheeks, which was supported by a photo taken by a friend.
Sunday evening Governor Cuomo released a statement that he never intended to offend anyone with his words. “I never intended to offend anyone or cause any harm. I spend most of my life at work and colleagues are often also personal friends.
At work sometimes I think I am being playful and make jokes that I think are funny. I do, on occasion, tease people in what I think is a good natured way. I do it in public and in private. You have seen me do it at briefings hundreds of times. I have teased people about their personal lives, their relationships, about getting married or not getting married. I mean no offense and only attempt to add some levity and banter to what is a very serious business.”
Governor Cuomo is asking for an investigation into the accusations and addressed rumors that his staff members were attacking Boylan and Bennett. He told them, “My message to anyone doing that is you have misjudged what matters to me and my administration and you should stop now — period.”
From these accusations many Democrat and Republican officials, like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, New York City Mayor Bill De Blosio and many assembly members are either calling for an investigation or his resignation.
