Cuomo Responds To Bombshell Sexual Harassment Report

NEW YORK CITY — Amid growing calls for his resignation, Gov. Andrew Cuomo denied the findings of a bombshell probe that found he sexually harassed 11 women.

“First, I want you to know directly from me that never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances,” he said Tuesday. “I am 63 years old. I have lived my entire adult life in public view: that is just not who I am.”

Cuomo gave his response in a pre-taped video released hours after Attorney General Letitia James unveiled a 165-page report detailing numerous accusations of wrongdoing by the governor and his aides.

The report prompted near-immediate calls for Cuomo's resignation or impeachment, including by powerful Rep. Hakeem Jeffries.

"The investigation has found that the Governor engaged in abusive behavior toward women, including subordinates, created a hostile work environment and violated state and federal law," Jeffries said in a statement.

My statement on the results of the thorough and professional investigation conducted by Attorney General Tish James.

The time has come for Governor Andrew Cuomo to do the right thing for the people of New York State and resign.

No one is above the law. pic.twitter.com/9G7fED66N8
— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) August 3, 2021

But Cuomo, in his response, struck a note of defiance toward what he called a "biased" investigation. He said his office would release its own report that offers a different look at the facts.

The governor, however, did apologize by name to a woman who served as an aide and accused him of uncomfortable, sexually tinged exchanges. Cuomo said he knew the woman was a victim of sexual assault and her story resonated with him because it reminded him of a close family member's own experience.

“I thought I could help her work through a difficult time," he said, but claimed she read into and made inferences from his comments.

"Simply put, they heard things that I just didn’t say,” he said.

During one point in the video, Cuomo responded to the publication of a photograph showing him holding a clearly uncomfortable woman's face. He said the gesture, along with hugs and kisses, is something he's done to people for decades.

That prompted a remarkable montage of photographs showing Cuomo performing similar gestures to people ranging from Bill Clinton to Robert De Niro.

And, indeed, about half the governor's report in response to the probe consists of photographs of him and other politicians embracing or kissing people.

Cuomo also claimed some of his comments were misconstrued.

“I do slip and say ‘sweetheart,’ or ‘darling,’ or ‘honey,’” he said. “I do banter with people. I do tell jokes — some better than others.”

Find out more about the Attorney General's report here.

Read Cuomo's response to the report below: