Report shows Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, he vows not to resign
US President Joe Biden has called on New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign after a report was released showing the Democratic governor had sexually harassed 11 women.
The report by the state attorney general on Tuesday found that Cuomo had groped, kissed or made “suggestive” comments to 11 women in violation of the law.
Attorney General Letitia James said Cuomo engaged in "unwelcome and nonconsensual touching," noting the conduct created a "hostile work environment for women."
The findings prompted local prosecutors to launch a criminal investigation and reignited calls for Cuomo to resign or be impeached.
"I think he should resign," Biden told reporters at the White House on Tuesday.
The Democratic president had previously said that he would call for the governor’s resignation if the investigation determined he acted inappropriately.
In a recorded statement after the findings of the five-month independent inquiry were unveiled, Cuomo denied he had acted inappropriately and made clear he has no plans to resign.
Also in a speech, he said, "I want you to know directly from me that I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances."
Yet in February, he released a statement admitting that some of his workplace remarks "may have been insensitive or too personal." The statement said he was "truly sorry" to those who might have "misinterpreted (the remarks) as an unwanted flirtation."
Cuomo’s behavior was not limited to members of his own staff, but extended to other state employees, including a State Trooper on his protective detail in addition to members of the public, according to the report.
"We also conclude that the Executive Chamber's culture -- one filled with fear and intimidation, while at the same time normalizing the Governor's frequent flirtations and gender-based comments -- contributed to the conditions that allowed the sexual harassment to occur and persist," investigators Joon Kim and Anne Clark wrote in the report. "That culture also influenced the improper and inadequate ways in which the Executive Chamber has responded to allegations of harassment."
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