Cuomo allegations: New York State files police report in Albany over groping claim at executive mansion
The incident allegedly involved a female aide and took place at Cuomo's executive mansion
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Police Thursday received word from the governor's own office that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo may have been involved in an incident that could be a crime. The report was made by the New York State Executive Chamber as a matter of protocol in cases involving physical contact.
The incident allegedly involved a female aide and took place at Cuomo's executive mansion. The woman herself has not filed a complaint.
The development comes as the governor faces multiple allegations of sexual harassment. On Wednesday, the Albany Times Union reported that a woman said Cuomo aggressively groped her at the mansion.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}SCHUMER WON'T SAY IF CUOMO SHOULD RESIGN, BACKS 'THOROUGH INVESTIGATION'
"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," said Beth Garvey, Acting Counsel to the Governor, in a statement provided to Fox News. The agency is the Executive Chamber.
"If they decline, the agency has an obligation to reach out themselves and inform the department of the allegation. 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," Garvey said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Police have not opened an official investigation, but they are offering their services to the woman who is the alleged victim, as is their policy, The New York Times reported.
At least six women have accused Cuomo of misconduct -- adding to the mounting scrutiny the governor faces for his handling of the pandemic.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The allegation reported Wednesday entailed a female aide being summoned to the executive mansion late last year under the apparent pretext she would help Cuomo with a technical issue with his mobile phone. According to the Times-Union, Cuomo allegedly reached under her blouse and began to fondle her while they were on the second floor.
Cuomo has denied the accusation, saying on Wednesday, "I have never done anything like this."
Wednesday's allegation was the sixth to date and came as the state's attorney general, Letitia James, was assembling a team to investigate the claims.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Cuomo has said he is "confident" in the result of James' investigation.
After multiple allegations surfaced in February, the governor released a statement in which he denied inappropriately touching anybody but acknowledged his jokes at work might have been misinterpreted.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"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," he 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. To be clear I never inappropriately touched anybody and I never propositioned anybody and I never intended to make anyone feel uncomfortable, but these are allegations that New Yorkers deserve answers to."
His responses, however, have been met with mounting calls for resignation among dozens of lawmakers in the state.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The latest scandal has prompted greater scrutiny, however, of prominent Democratic politicians who were outspoken about other allegations of sexual misconduct, like those involving Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.