Cuomo Blames 'Jokes' For 'Misinterpreted' Sexual Harassment

NEW YORK CITY — An on-the-ropes Gov. Andrew Cuomo tried to fight back from a political pummeling by apologizing for bad "jokes" that he claimed were misinterpreted as sexual harassment.

Cuomo on Sunday released a lengthy statement following new accusations of sexual harassment leveled by another former aide — Charlotte Bennett, who first detailed in them a New York Times story.

The governor said he often jokes or teases to bring levity to serious business, as he has frequently done during his coronavirus briefings.

"I now understand that my interactions may have been insensitive or too personal and that some of my comments, given my position, made others feel in ways I never intended," he said in the statement. "I acknowledge some of the things I have said have been misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation. To the extent anyone felt that way, I am truly sorry about that."

But Cuomo's statement — which included a flat denial that he inappropriately touched or propositioned anyone — and his call for an independent investigation failed to stem the ongoing political furor.

Indeed, state Attorney General Letitia James quickly issued two statements pushing back against Cuomo's suggestion that she carry out an investigation with Chief Judge Janet DiFiore.

James essentially said she'd conduct it alone — and Cuomo acquiesced and sent a referral that cleared the way for a probe.

"This is not a responsibility we take lightly as allegations of sexual harassment should always be taken seriously," James said in a statement. "As the letter states, at the close of the review, the findings will be disclosed in a public report.”

Cuomo initially suggested former judge Barbara Jones conduct the investigation but that fell apart under criticism that Jones had ties to his administration.

The new sexual harassment claim by Bennett, who said Cuomo quizzed her on whether she'd date someone older, only compounded Cuomo's recent woes.

Cuomo already faced a political firestorm over an aide's admission his administration withheld the number of nursing home deaths from lawmakers. The whole affair also put Cuomo's aggressive — some saying bullying — political persona under a microscope.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, a frequent rival of Cuomo's, spent much of Sunday and Monday denouncing the governor. He called for two independent investigations into Cuomo's handling of nursing homes and the sexual harassment accusations.

"New Yorkers have seen detailed, documented accounts of sexual harassment, multiple instances of intimidation, and the admitted withholding of information on the deaths of over 15,000 people," de Blasio said in a statement.

"Questions of this magnitude cannot hang over the heads of New Yorkers as we fight off a pandemic and economic crisis. It’s clear what must now take place.

"The State legislature must immediately revoke the Governor’s emergency powers that overrule local control. In addition, two fully independent investigations must be held immediately into the deaths at nursing homes and the disturbing personal misconduct allegations."

De Blasio also said the nursing home investigation must be "free to examine campaign contributions from the nursing home industry" which he insinuated could have swayed the Cuomo administration's decision-making.

As for Cuomo's suggestion that his jokes were to blame for the sexual harassment claims, de Blasio wasn't laughing.

"Sexual harassment is not funny," he said during an interview on Hot 97. "I mean, who the hell tries to explain that by saying, 'I was just joking around.'"