Senator Biaggi Calls for Gov.’s Resignation; DiFiore Out of Investigation
One of two former aides to Governor Andrew Cuomo that have now come forward to allege sexual harassment is from Westchester. Charlotte Bennett, whose story came out last week in the New York Times, has a history and background working for women’s rights organizations in Westchester.
Former Cuomo aide Lindsay Boylan came out with allegations of sexual harassment last year, but her claims were largely ignored by the media and democrats across New York State. Last week, Boylan penned an essay in Medium which provided details, including allegations that the Governor kissed her on the lips without warning—and that Cuomo made a proposition on a plane back to Albany—”Let’s Play Strip Poker.”
Charlotte Bennett, tweeted that people should read the Medium story if they wanted a true picture “of what it was like to work for the Cuomo administration.” A reporter for the NY Times, read Bennett’s support of Boylan and reached out. Bennett, 25, went on the record, for a NY Times feature story detailing the allegations against Cuomo, 62.
Bennett told NY Times reporter -Jesse Mckinley, that on June 5, 2020, she was alone with Cuomo in Albany when he asked her whether age was a factor in a relationship, and added that he was open to a relationship with a women in her 20’s. Bennett said that while Cuomo never touched her, “I understood that the governor wanted to sleep with me, and felt horribly uncomfortable and scared,” Bennett told the Times. “And was wondering how I was going to get out of it and assumed it was the end of my job.”
Bennett attended John Jay High School in Lewisboro, graduating in 2013. Bennett told the governor that she had played soccer with his daughter Michaela Andrea Kennedy-Cuomo, 24.
She worked as a member of the Katonah Volunteer Ambulance Corps., and was a volunteer at Hope’s Door in Pleasantville, which provides resources to domestic violence survivors. She also volunteered on the campaign of County Legislator Kitley Covill in 2017.
Bennett worked in three capacities for Cuomo from 2019-2020, as his special assistant, executive assistant, and policy advisor.
State Senator Alessandra Biaggi, who represents Pelham in Westchester County, has called for Governor Cuomo to resign. “The assertions against Governor Andrew Cuomo by Charlotte Bennett detail behavior that is unacceptable. I am especially horrified by the comments the Governor made to Charlotte about her experience with sexual assault –– comments he did not deny making. They are the epitome of a hostile work environment.
“I commend the courage of Ms. Bennett and Lindsey Boylan for coming forward. The harassment experienced by these former staffers is part of a clear pattern of abuse and manipulation by the Governor, and that pattern makes him unworthy of holding the highest office in New York.
“A truly independent investigation into the allegations made by Ms. Bennett, Ms. Boylan, and any forthcoming survivors should take place –– but the Governor’s influence touches all entities in New York that might review his conduct. The current review, arranged by the Governor’s team and overseen by an individual who has a work history with his close associates, does not meet any standard of independence. While a truly independent investigation may uncover more evidence or instances of abuse, the existing details are sufficient for me to form my conclusion.
“As a New Yorker, a legislator, Chair of the Senate Ethics and Internal Governance Committee, and a survivor of sexual abuse, I am calling for Governor Cuomo to resign,” stated Sen. Biaggi in a statement release on Feb. 27.
The other Westchester piece of this story is that former DA and NYS Chief Court Judge Janet DiFiore will not be a part of the investigation into the allegations against Governor Cuomo. Originally, DiFiore and NY Attorney General Leticia James were to jointly conduct the investigation, but AG James said that the powers to issue subpoenas and conduct the investigation were within her office’s responsibilities.
“The state’s Executive Law clearly gives my office the authority to investigate this matter once the governor provides a referral. While I have deep respect for Chief Judge DiFiore, I am the duly elected attorney general and it is my responsibility to carry out this task, per Executive Law,” said AG James.
Westchester State Senator Shelley Mayer released a statement, which reads, “The multiple accounts of sexual harassment against Governor Andrew Cuomo are deeply troubling. I am pleased that Attorney General Tish James will now commence a truly independent investigation with full subpoena powers. It is what the situation requires. As a former Assistant Attorney General, I support the legislative proposals from Senators Todd Kaminsky and Andrew Gounardes to expand the powers of the Attorney General’s office to overcome the conflicts of interest that are inherent in this case and ensure the office retains independent jurisdiction in matters such as this one.
“Governor Cuomo has led New York through a terrible time with much to praise. But that does not reduce the obligation, both morally and legally, to provide a workplace free of harassment, intimidation and other unacceptable conduct. I believe public servants must be held to the highest standard of workplace conduct. I have spent almost my entire career in public service, and I remember the times when my female colleagues and I knew we couldn’t raise our voices about inappropriate behavior without jeopardizing our jobs and our careers. Women are not going back to being quiet about sexual harassment and workplace intimidation, and their accusations must be taken seriously and investigated fully and independently,” said Sen. Mayer.
