Yonkers City Councilman John Rubbo issued a statement that most New Yorkers agree with, concerning Governor Andrew Cuomo’s explaination about sexual harassment allegations made against him by 11 employees, which was taught by his parents, coming from an Italian-American family, that it was OK to hug and kiss and embrace your friends, colleagues and co-workers.
Rubbo stated, “I am an Italian American.-I hug.-I kiss on the cheek.-I embrace friends and family. I know where the line is drawn and I would never cross it. Governor Cuomo used our heritage to defend his actions and that is simply despicable.
“I continue to condemn the Governor’s inappropriate behavior. And now, Governor Cuomo has dishonored the millions of Italian Americans who made New York the Empire State. I look forward to the breath of fresh air brought by Lt. Governor Hochul. All I ask of her is that she sets Education as a priority and helps districts like Yonkers meet their full potential,” said Rubbo.
The explanation by Andrew Cuomo also blemish the reputation of his father, former Governor Mario Cuomo and his mother Matilda.
Governor Mario Cuomo was never accused of touching a female state trooper inappropriately, or groping a staff member in the Governor’s Mansion, or asking most of the 11 female accusers whether they thought age made a difference in romantic relationships, and whether they were open to relationships with women in their 20’s.
One of Andrew Cuomo’s accusers, Charlotte Bennett, from Westchester, has said again and again that Andrew was trying to sleep with her. His attempts to link those inappropriate comments to his parents and his upbringing, is as Councilman Rubbo stated, “simply despicable.”
For some of our readers, it is nonsense to think that Andrew Cuomo can make a political comeback. Laura Levine, from Ossining writes to us, “For those who think that our Governor Andrew Cuomo resigned in the hopes that he will some day run for office and win, I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn. Cuomo’s political career is now officially over.
“I do agree that he did not want to get impeached by the Assembly and Senate, and as a result he would have been barred from running for office ever again. Perhaps he has that thought still in his mind. But for all of the women who watched his behavior and his performances in three different videos over the past week, he never admitted guilt. He said he was sorry that the women misinterpreted what he was saying and doing. That simply won’t cut it in today’s Democratic party in the State of New York, and if Cuomo does try to run again, I will be first in line to make sure he never gets our parties nomination.
“I also agree with your newspapers reporting on Charlotte Bennett, a Westcheter resident who has stepped up for women everywhere.-Laura Levine, Ossining”
