New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Wednesday he will not step down amid the growth calls on him to resign on allegations of sexual harassmentAfter a third woman came forward with charges of inappropriate behavior, the governor said at a news conference that he felt “ashamed” for the “pain I caused” and pledged to cooperate in an investigation led by the attorney- general.
“I never knew at the time that I was making anyone uncomfortable,” Cuomo told reporters after providing updates on the state’s response to the state. corona pandemic“I never meant to insult or hurt someone or hurt anyone. it makes me feel bad. “
Charlotte Bennett, a former health policy adviser to Cuomo, claimed the governor asked her questions about her sex life, including whether she had ever had sex with older men. Her attorney, Debra Katz, said in a statement Wednesday that Bennett Cuomo has reported to his chief of staff and chief counsel.
“We are confident that they have informed him of her complaint and we fully expect that the Attorney General’s investigation will show that Cuomo’s officials have not acted on or committed to Ms Bennett’s serious allegations. ensured corrective action was taken, ”said Katz.
Lindsey Boylan, a former deputy secretary for economic development and special adviser to the governor, accused Cuomo of giving her an unwanted kiss and making inappropriate comments. Anna Ruch accused the governor of touching her lower back and face and asking if he could kiss her at a wedding reception in 2019.
“I have never touched anyone inappropriately,” Cuomo said Wednesday. Asked by CBS New York’s Marcia Kramer about a photo where Cuomo puts his hands on Ruch’s cheeks, the governor said he understood Ruch’s feelings, but that’s how he greets people.
“You can find hundreds of photos where I make the same gesture with hundreds of people, women, men, children, and so on,” Cuomo said. “You can start to find hundreds of pictures of me kissing people, men, women. It’s my usual and usual way of greeting … Besides, it was the way my father greeted people,” referring to the former governor Mario Cuomo
The governor said he would learn from the women who came forward. “I understand that the sensitivities have changed and the behavior has changed, and I get it,” said Cuomo.
Although Cuomo has denied sexually harassing anyone, some members of his own party are calling for him to resign. On Monday night, Congressman Kathleen Rice became one of New York’s foremost Democrats to demand Cuomo’s resignation.
New York Attorney General Letitia James said Monday that the findings of the research in which the allegations would be made public upon completion.
The allegations coincide with the investigation into Cuomo’s treatment of COVID-19 in nursing homesHe is facing a separate investigation into the deaths in nursing homes during the pandemic.
Jericka Duncan, Caitlin Yilek and Alex Sundby contributed to this report.