I’M SEALING MY LIPS ON SEX HARASS RAPS: ANDY
Now will await James’ probe before spouting vs. accusers
ALBANY — Gov. Cuomo, days after questioning his accusers’ motives and blaming “cancel culture” for his current scandal-scarred situation, says he is no longer going to comment on sexual harassment claims made against him.
Rarely at a loss for words, the governor, who is facing an impeachment investigation and an independent probe overseen by the state attorney general’s office, declined to address mounting misconduct allegations Wednesday as he spoke to reporters during an afternoon call.
Cuomo also repeatedly referred to the impeachment investigation launched by the Assembly as a “review.”
“I am not going to take any questions or have any comments on the review at this time,” he said. “Let the lawyers do their job and let them conduct a review and then we can talk about it when we have facts established.”
The stance was an about-face from Friday when a defiant Cuomo lashed out at lawmakers calling for his resignation and insinuated his accusers could have political motivations.
Multiple women, mostly former aides, have come forward with claims against the governor, accusing him of lording over a toxic workplace that belittles women, unwanted flirting, inappropriate touching and even kissing subordinates without their consent.
Last week, after it was reported that a current aide accused
Cuomo of groping her during an encounter at the Executive Mansion, the governor said he didn’t want to “speculate about people’s possible motives.”
He then declared that there are “often many motivations for making an allegation” and added that a “lot of people allege a lot of things for a lot of reasons.”
The governor previously issued a public apology for “making anyone uncomfortable” and has repeatedly denied he ever touched anyone inappropriately.
The Assembly announced Wednesday that it has retained an outside law firm to assist as the chamber’s judiciary committee looks into the governor’s conduct. Meanwhile, Attorney General Letitia James’ probe,