Read Cuomo’s response to sexual harassment report from NY attorney general

Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks and gestures during a press conference

Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a press conference at the New York State Fairgrounds in April.N. Scott Trimble | syracuse.com

Albany, N.Y. — Gov. Andrew Cuomo posted a response online to the report from New York Attorney General Letitia James that concluded he sexually harassed multiple women in violation of state and federal law.

The response came from Cuomo’s attorney, Rita Glavin. James’ investigators conducted an “utterly biased investigation” and ignored evidence that didn’t match up with the narrative they wanted to advance, Glavin said in the response.

They also ignored Cuomo’s testimony to them and substantial evidence that corroborated what he told them, she said.

You can read the full report online or below.

Cuomo issued a video statement of his own in response to James’ report earlier this afternoon. He is not resigning.

Cuomo said he never touched anyone inappropriately and denied an allegation he groped a female aide’s breast at the Executive Mansion in Albany.

He apologized for some of his interactions with one former aide, Charlotte Bennett, who said she felt the governor was grooming her for a sexual relationship and asked inappropriate questions about the fact that she is a sexual assault survivor.

James’ four-month investigation included interviews with 179 people, including New York state troopers and other state workers, James said this morning. The probe began after multiple former staffers went public with their accusations.

Interviews during the investigation, along with 70 subpoenas that produced more than 70,000 documents, unveiled a “deeply disturbing” picture, James said. More than once today she called the governor’s workplace “toxic,” saying that his leadership fostered fear and worries of retribution at work.

The behavior, investigators said, created an overall work culture that included bullying and vindictiveness.

The report found Cuomo touched staffers in an unwanted manner and called them “honey,” “sweetheart,” or “darling.” He kissed women at work, sometimes on the lips.

The report also says Cuomo grabbed the butt of an executive assistant and details the groping incident at the Executive Mansion.

READ MORE:

Cuomo ‘sexually harassed’ women, violating law, NY AG says

Syracuse woman among Cuomo accusers: ‘He is lying again. He touched me inappropriately’

Reaction from NY lawmakers: Cuomo must resign or be impeached

Read NY attorney general’s full report on Cuomo sexual harassment allegations

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