New York governor Andrew Cuomo’s sexual harassment accuser speaks to investigators
- Charlotte Bennett also provided investigators with 120 pages of records from the time of the alleged harassment and other documentary evidence, her lawyer said
- Bennett, 25, alleges that Cuomo quizzed her last June about her sex life, told her that he was lonely and wanted a girlfriend
One of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s sexual harassment accusers met investigators working for the state attorney general’s office for more than four hours on Monday via Zoom, according to her lawyer.
During the interview, Charlotte Bennett revealed new details about Cuomo’s behaviour and what she said was a “sexually hostile work environment,” including a claim the governor frequently made suggestive remarks about the size of his hands.
“One piece of new information that came to light today was the Governor’s preoccupation with his hand size and what the large size of his hands indicated to Charlotte and other members of his staff,” her lawyer, Debra Katz, said in a statement.
Bennett also provided investigators with 120 pages of records from the time of the alleged harassment and other documentary evidence to corroborate her accusations, Katz said.
“The investigators have been moving quickly, and with sensitivity, to get to the heart of these allegations,” Katz said. “We remain confident that their investigation will substantiate Charlotte’s claims of sexual harassment against Governor Cuomo, as well as the failure of his senior staff to meet their mandatory reporting requirements under the very laws he signed.”
Bennett, 25, alleges that Cuomo quizzed her last June about her sex life, told her that he was lonely and wanted a girlfriend and inquired about her willingness to have a sexual relationship with an older man.
Bennett said she was transferred to another job in the Capitol after reporting the harassment to Cuomo’s chief of staff. Bennett detailed the allegations to The New York Times on February 27 and in a subsequent CBS News interview.
New York Attorney General Letitia James last week named a former federal prosecutor, Joon Kim, and employment discrimination lawyer Anne Clark to lead the Cuomo investigation. They have full subpoena power and will document their findings in a public report.
Cuomo, a Democrat, has said that he will “fully cooperate.” His office did not immediately comment Monday when asked about Bennett’s interview with investigators.
Bennett is one of several women who have accused the governor of inappropriate touching or making offensive remarks.
Cuomo has denied touching any women inappropriately and has resisted calls to resign.
He has apologised for behaviour “that made people feel uncomfortable,” saying, “It was unintentional and I truly and deeply apologise for it.”
