Pelosi says Cuomo sexual harassment claims from ex-staffers are ‘credible’ as gov faces calls to resign
NANCY Pelosi says sexual harassment allegations made against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo are “credible.”
“The women who have come forward with serious and credible charges against Governor Cuomo deserve to be heard and to be treated with dignity,” Pelosi said in a statement.
She told Fox News: “The independent investigation must have due process and respect for everyone involved.”
Cuomo – already facing calls for his impeachment over the alleged cover-up of Covid deaths in care homes – denied wrongdoing.
The House Speaker’s statement comes after a second former aide to Cuomo came forward with sexual harassment allegations just days after his first accuser made her claims public.
Charlotte Bennett, 25, came forward with sex pest allegations three days after another ex-staffer made similar claims.
She told the New York Times Cuomo asked if her she was monogamous in her relationships and if she had ever had sex with older men.
“I understood that the governor wanted to sleep with me, and felt horribly uncomfortable and scared,” she said.
“And was wondering how I was going to get out of it and assumed it was the end of my job.”
Charlotte’s claims came three days after another ex-aide, Lindsey Boylan, claimed Cuomo kissed her on the lips and suggested they play strip poker.
She claimed in her more than three years while working in his administration, Cuomo “would go out of his way to touch me on my lower back, arms and legs.”
She also alleged he compared her to one of his rumored ex-girlfriends, kissed her on the lips without consent, and once joked they should play strip poker during a flight on his official jet.
“I’m compelled to tell my story because no woman should feel forced to hide their experiences of workplace intimidation, harassment and humiliation — not by the Governor or anyone else,” Boylan said.
Cuomo said in a statement Saturday that Bennett was a “hardworking and valued member of our team during COVID” and that “she has every right to speak out.”
He said he had intended to be a mentor for Bennett, who is 25.
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“I never made advances toward Ms Bennett nor did I ever intend to act in any way that was inappropriate,” he said.
“I tried to be supportive and helpful. Ms Bennett’s initial impression was right: I was trying to be a mentor to her.
“The last thing I would ever have wanted was to make her feel any of the things that are being reported.”