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Cuomo Addresses Sexual Harassment Allegations: "I'm Not Going To Resign"
By
Ben Yakas
Published Mar 3, 2021
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Mar 3, 2021
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For the first time since he was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women, Governor Andrew Cuomo addressed the allegations during a press conference on Wednesday, apologizing for making women feel uncomfortable in the workplace. But despite mounting pressure from an array of New York politicians, Cuomo unequivocally stated that he does not plan to resign.
"Some politicians will always play politics, that's the nature of the beast," Cuomo said of the calls for him to resign. "I don't think today's the day for politics. I wasn't elected by politicians. I was elected by the people. I'm not going to resign. We have a teetering NYC, terrible financial picture, vaccines...so no, I'm going to do the job I was elected to do."
Speaking about the allegations for the first time, Cuomo said he now realizes he "acted in a way that made people feel uncomfortable. It was unintentional, and I truly and deeply apologize for it. I feel awful about it, and frankly, I am embarrassed about it, and that's not easy to say, but that's the truth."
Since last week, two former staffers have accused Cuomo of sexual harassment and a third woman, who was not an employee, has accused him of making unwelcome sexual advances. Former aide Lindsey Boylan claims Cuomo forcibly kissed her and made her deeply uncomfortable by commenting on her appearance to other staffers. After Boylan detailed her allegations, former Cuomo aide Charlotte Bennett came forward to say the governor had highly inappropriate conversations about her sex life with her last May in the midst of the pandemic. Days after Bennett went public, Anna Ruch, who did not work in the Cuomo administration, alleged that Cuomo forcibly kissed her on the cheek while she was at a wedding in 2019.
Asked about a photo of Cuomo holding Ruch's face that accompanied her allegation, Cuomo said, "I understand the opinions and feelings of Ms. Ruch," but defended himself by saying that "kissing people" was his usual and customary way of greeting people, noting "you can find hundreds of pictures of me making the same gesture with hundreds of people, women, men, children, etc."
Cuomo said that despite his regrets, he had never touched anyone inappropriately, an assertion he stressed repeatedly throughout the presser: "I never knew at the time that I was making anyone feel uncomfortable," he said. "And I certainly never ever meant to offend anyone or hurt anyone or cause anyone any pain. That is the last thing I would ever want to do."
"I also want you to know that I have learned from what has been an incredibly difficult situation for me as well as other people," Cuomo added. "I've learned an important lesson. I'm sorry, I'm sorry for whatever pain I caused anyone, I never intended it, and I will be the better for this experience."
Listen to Brigid Bergin discuss the latest about Governor Cuomo with Sean Carlson on WNYC:
Cuomo said that he planned to "fully cooperate" with Attorney General Letitia James's investigation into the harassment allegations, and asked that New Yorkers be patient in the meantime. "I ask the people of this state to wait for the facts of the AG's report before forming an opinion," he said. "Get the facts, please, before forming an opinion."
Melissa DeRosa, a top advisor to Cuomo, was asked about her opinion on the allegations, and she reiterated Cuomo's call to refrain from judgement until the AG releases her report. She said she was proud of the work the Cuomo administration has done to elevate women, promote "women's rights, maternal health, reproductive health, the list goes on. In my time as Secretary, we've seen more women rise to the highest levels. We've promoted each other and supported one another. strengthen women's rights for all New Yorkers."
Update 3 p.m.: Debra Katz, the attorney for Cuomo accuser Charlotte Bennett, said that Cuomo's apology today was "full of falsehoods and inaccurate information, and New Yorkers deserve better." You can read it in full below.
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Governor Andrew Cuomo
sexual harassment
Cuomo in Crisis
andrew cuomo
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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