“I'm impressed by all of the courageous ladies who got here ahead,” James stated in a morning information convention, “however extra importantly,
“I’m impressed by all of the courageous ladies who got here ahead,” James stated in a morning information convention, “however extra importantly, I imagine them, and I thank them for his or her bravery.”
Cuomo on Tuesday stated: “I do kiss individuals on the brow. I do kiss individuals on the cheek. I do kiss individuals on the hand. I do embrace individuals. I do hug individuals. Women and men. I do from time to time say ‘ciao bella.’ From time to time, I do slip and say ‘sweetheart’ or ‘darling’ or ‘honey.’ I do banter with individuals. I do inform jokes, some higher than others. I’m the identical particular person in public as I’m in personal.”
The governor contended there have been “generational or cultural views” that he “hadn’t totally appreciated” in his conduct.
The primary sexual harassment accusation in opposition to Cuomo emerged in late 2020 because the New York governor was on the peak of his recognition, driving a wave of accolades for what was percieved on the time to be his robust dealing with of the state’s coronavirus pandemic response. Eleven ladies finally got here ahead to say the governor acted inappropriately towards them.
Cuomo has confronted critical stress to resign for the reason that allegations got here out, with New York Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand calling on him to step down in March. The governor has repeatedly denied the allegations and has steadfastly refused requires his resignation.
President Joe Biden informed ABC Information in March that Cuomo ought to resign if the investigation confirmed the ladies’s claims, including that “I feel he’ll in all probability find yourself being prosecuted, too.” On Tuesday, when requested about Cuomo, Biden didn’t reply and as an alternative stated he can be talking on Covid-19 later within the day and “take questions on Covid and different points after that.”
In his Tuesday remarks following the discharge of the investigation’s findings, Cuomo particularly introduced up the criticism by Charlotte Bennett, a lady who labored in his workplace and stated the governor made inappropriate feedback to her about her previous sexual assault. Cuomo stated this criticism “bothered [him] probably the most,” as a result of, he stated, he had requested her about her expertise as a result of a member of the family of his went by means of one thing related.
“I used to be making an attempt to verify she was working her means by means of it the perfect she might,” he stated.
“I’ve heard Charlotte and her lawyer and I perceive what they’re saying, however they learn into feedback that I made and draw inferences that I by no means meant,” he stated. “They ascribe motives I by no means had. And easily put, they heard issues that I simply didn’t say.”
Bennett responded to the scenario on Twitter, calling on New York state Meeting Speaker Carl Heastie to question the governor.
“I don’t want an apology,” Bennett wrote, referencing Cuomo’s feedback that he “introduced [his] private expertise into the office” and “additional difficult the scenario.”
“I need accountability and an finish to victim-blaming” Bennett added in her tweet.
The governor additionally introduced up a New York Occasions entrance web page picture of him kissing a lady’s cheek at a marriage, saying he has been making the identical gesture for years and discovered it from his mother and father. To exhibit the purpose, his workplace aired a slideshow of Cuomo kissing varied individuals on the cheek.
Concerning an nameless criticism that Cuomo groped a lady in his dwelling workplace, he stated it by no means occurred and that her lawyer prompt she would file a authorized declare for damages. “That can be determined in a courtroom of legislation,” he stated. “Trial by newspaper or biased opinions should not the way in which to search out the information on this matter. I welcome the chance for a full and honest overview earlier than a choose and jury as a result of this simply didn’t occur.”
On the report findings that he fostered a poisonous work surroundings, Cuomo stated “My workplace isn’t any typical 9-to-5 authorities workplace, and I don’t need it to be.” He stated his workplace surroundings is “demanding” and “not for everybody,” then including that complaints in opposition to feminine managers present a double normal.
“Politics and bias are interwoven all through each side of this case,” Cuomo stated. “One can be naive to suppose in any other case. And New Yorkers should not naive.”
A number of lawmakers on the state and federal degree have referred to as on Cuomo to resign in mild of the investigation, together with the New York state Senate majority chief, Andrea Stewart-Cousins.
Eugene Daniels contributed to this report.