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According to recent sources, 56th New York governor is currently facing sexual harassment allegations against him. Due to the US political pressure, he’s agreed to allow an independent investigation into this matter on Sunday 28 February 2021. Andrew Cuomo is the 56th New York governor, who’s run into this trouble recently.
Sexual Harassment Allegations
The governor’s former aides accused him of such an act. Cuomo faced a rising storm of criticism Sunday, including from several fellow Democrats. Former aide Charlotte Bennett told that the governor sexually harassed her in 2020. That came just four days after ex-aide Lindsey Boylan described unwanted physical contact from Cuomo.
A senator, a congresswoman, and a presidential spokeswoman, all Democrats, on Sunday demanded an independent inquiry — led by someone not named by Cuomo.
A Deeper Insight
Hours later, Cuomo’s special counsel Beth Garvey issued a statement. The governor had asked the state attorney general Letitia James and New York’s chief judge Janet DiFiore to jointly perform a task. That’s to select an independent and qualified lawyer in the private practice without political affiliation to conduct a thorough review of the matter and issue a public report. This was to avoid the even perception of a lack of independence or inference of politics.
Cuomo earlier denied any misbehavior. He chose former federal judge Barbara Jones to lead a probe. But high-profile figures in his own Democratic Party said that was insufficient. James said on Sunday that she was ready to open an inquiry to ensure a truly independent investigation.
But James later clarified that the state law specifically gave her office, not Judge DiFiore, sole authority to lead such an inquiry. She further added that Cuomo must provide a formal referral so she can proceed with subpoena power.
What The Officials Have To Say?
Earlier on Sunday, Senator Mazie Hirono, a Democrat from Hawaii, had joined in calls for a truly independent inquiry. One interviewer asked: “Not the investigation that he announced himself?”
He replied: “I wouldn’t consider that to be independent,”
He regularly asks nominees seeking Senate confirmation if they have ever committed sexual improprieties.
And Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent young House liberal, tweeted this.
“detailed accounts” of Cuomo’s accusers “are extremely serious and painful to read.”
She, too, called for an independent inquiry led by the attorney general’s office.
Jen Psaki, the spokeswoman for President Joe Biden, said:
“Every woman should be heard, should be treated with respect and with dignity,”
“There should be an independent review of these allegations.”
According to the 25-year-old Bennett, Cuomo, who is 63, said in June that he was open to dating women in their 20s. He also asked her if she thought age made a difference in romantic relationships.
While Cuomo never tried to touch her she said: “I understood that the governor wanted to sleep with me, and felt horribly uncomfortable and scared,”
More Details On Sexual Harassment Allegations
Cuomo became a national star last spring with his straight-talking yet empathetic coronavirus briefings. They fueled speculation that President Joe Biden (then a candidate) might consider him as a running mate.
Cuomo said this in a statement on Saturday.
“I never made advances toward Ms. Bennett nor did I ever intend to act in any way that was inappropriate.”
He said he wanted instead to support and mentor Bennett.
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