Facing bipartisan calls for an independent investigation, Governor Andrew Cuomo has apologized if comments to female staffers “have been misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation.” In a statement Sunday evening, Cuomo continued to deny inappropriately touching anyone.
Two female aides have now raised those allegations against the governor.
Here’s the full statement:
“Questions have been raised about some of my past interactions with people in the office.
“I never intended to offend anyone or cause any harm. I spend most of my life at work and colleagues are often also personal friends.
“At work sometimes I think I am being playful and make jokes that I think are funny. I do, on occasion, tease people in what I think is a good natured way. I do it in public and in private. You have seen me do it at briefings hundreds of times. I have teased people about their personal lives, their relationships, about getting married or not getting married. I mean no offense and only attempt to add some levity and banter to what is a very serious business.
“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.
“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.
“That’s why I have asked for an outside, independent review that looks at these allegations.
“Separately, my office has heard anecdotally that some people have reached out to Ms. Bennett to express displeasure about her coming forward. My message to anyone doing that is you have misjudged what matters to me and my administration and you should stop now – period.”
Separately, the governor announced that he’s asked State Attorney General Letitia James to chose a private lawyer to do an independent review of the sexual harassment allegations under section 63(8) of New York State Executive Law.
James earlier rebuffed a suggestion that she and Chief Judge Janet DiFiore pick someone to investigate the allegations. She says:
“We expect to receive a 63(8) referral with subpoena power to investigate allegations of sexual harassment against the governor, in line with our demands and New York state law. The referral would be made solely to the attorney general’s office. This is not a responsibility we take lightly. We will hire a law firm, deputize them as attorneys of our office, and oversee a rigorous and independent investigation.”
Under New York Law, Governor Cuomo must first issue the referral before James can launch her investigation. Cuomo has agreed to give control of the investigation over to James.