Hillary Clinton broke her silence on Monday to back an investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against New York Gov Andrew...
Hillary Clinton broke her silence on Monday to back an investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against New York Gov Andrew Cuomo.
Charlotte Bennett, 25, a health policy adviser in the Democratic governor's administration until November, told The New York Times Cuomo asked her inappropriate questions about her sex life, including whether she ever had sex with older men.
Another former aide, Lindsey Boylan, 36, a former deputy secretary for economic development and special adviser to the governor, had already accused Cuomo, 63, of subjecting her to an unwanted kiss and inappropriate comments.
In response to the claims, Clinton said in a statement obtained by Fox News: 'These stories are difficult to read, and the allegations brought forth raise serious questions that the women who have come forward and all New Yorkers deserve answers to.'
Hillary Clinton broke her silence on Monday to back an investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against New York Gov Andrew Cuomo
Charlotte Bennett (left), 25, said Cuomo asked her inappropriate questions about her sex life, including whether she ever had sex with older men and Lindsey Boylan (right), 36, had already accused Cuomo, 63, of subjecting her to an unwanted kiss and inappropriate comments
'I’m glad to see that there will be a full, independent, and thorough investigation,' the former secretary of state added.
Clinton has joined other politicians who are backing an investigation into the governor.
Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted over the weekend that the 'detailed accounts of sexual harassment' by both aides 'are extremely serious and painful to read'.
'There must be an independent investigation - not one led by an individual selected by the Governor, but by the office of the Attorney General,' Ocasio-Cortez said.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio also said in a statement that the probe must be 'led by someone fully independent of the governor', adding that the allegations against Cuomo are 'disturbing'.
Cuomo acknowledged for the first time Sunday that some of his behavior with women 'may have been insensitive or too personal'.
The governor addressed the allegations in a statement and has not been seen in public since last Wednesday. He maintained he had never inappropriately touched or propositioned anyone. But he said he had teased people about their personal lives in an attempt to be 'playful'.
'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. 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,' he said.
The governor also said he would cooperate with the attorney general's investigation.
In response to Cuomo's statement, Bennett released one of her own to the New York Times on Monday.
'As we know, abusers — particularly those with tremendous amounts of power — are often repeat offenders who engage in manipulative tactics to diminish allegations, blame victims, deny wrongdoing and escape consequences,' Bennett told the newspaper.
'It took the governor 24 hours and significant backlash to allow for a truly independent investigation. These are not the actions of someone who simply feels misunderstood; they are the actions of an individual who wields his power to avoid justice.'
Bennett's lawyer, Debra S. Katz, also told the Times that Cuomo's 'remarks were not misunderstood by Ms Bennett'.
'He was abusing his power over her for sex. This is textbook sexual harassment,' Katz added.
In response to the claims against Cuomo (pictured on February 22), Clinton said in a statement: 'These stories are difficult to read, and the allegations brought forth raise serious questions that the women who have come forward and all New Yorkers deserve answers to'
New York's Attorney General Letitia James said Monday that she's moving forward with the investigation after receiving a letter from his office authorizing her to take charge of the probe.
The referral letter allows James to deputize an outside law firm to conduct the inquiry with full subpoena power.
When the investigation is finished, the findings will be disclosed in a public report, the letter said.
James, in a statement announcing she received the letter, said: 'This is not a responsibility we take lightly as allegations of sexual harassment should always be taken seriously.'
The letter authorizing James' investigation said that all state employees have been directed to cooperate fully with the review.
Cuomo senior adviser Beth Garvey penned the letter and said she would facilitate interviews with witness and requests for documents from Cuomo's office.
The referral came after a weekend of wrangling over who should investigate his workplace behavior.
First, Cuomo's office said it would ask a former federal judge to conduct the probe. Then, it suggested James and the state's top judge work together to appoint outside counsel to look into the matter.
Finally, on Sunday, Cuomo acquiesced to James' demands to take control of the inquiry.
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