BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Governor Andrew Cuomo denies that he ever touched anyone inappropriately or made any inappropriate sexual advances, despite a report released by the attorney general Tuesday which accused the governor of multiple instances of harassment.
"It has been a hard and a painful period for me and my family, especially as others feed ugly stories to the press," Cuomo said in a pre-recorded video message released Tuesday afternoon. "But I cooperated with the review and I can now finally share the truth...The facts are much different than what has been portrayed."
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Cuomo said those interested in reading his account of the allegations can do so by visiting his website.
"I am 63 years old," Cuomo said. "I have lived my entire life in public view. That is just not who I am. And that's not who I have ever been."
Among the accusers of Cuomo's is Charlotte Bennett, a former aide. She claimed the governor asked her about her love life -including whether she ever had sex with older men- and talked about his own, saying age differences didn't matter in relationships and he was open to dating women over 22."
Cuomo said he was most bothered by Bennett's complaint. He said she was smart, talented, and eager to learn when she joined his administration.
"She talked about the personal trauma that she endured and how she was handling it," Cuomo said. "I could see how it affected her. I could see her pain. People now ask me 'Why was I even talking to this young woman if I knew she was dealing with such issues? Why did I even engage with her?' That is the obvious and fair question and one I have thought a lot about. The truth is, her story resonated deeply with me."
Cuomo said a family member of his is a survivor of sexual assault and said he would do anything to make it go away for her.
"This young woman brought it all back," Cuomo said. "She is about the same age. I thought I had learned a lot about the issue from my family's experience. I thought I could help her work through a difficult time. I did ask her questions I don't normally ask people. I did ask her how she was doing and how she was feeling and I did ask questions to try and see if she had positive supportive dating relationships. I know too well the manifestations of sexual assault trauma and the damage it can do in the aftermath. I was trying to make sure she was working her way through it the best she could."
The governor claims Bennett and her attorney read into his comments and drew wrong conclusions based on his comments.
"Simply put, they heard things wrong that I just didn't say," Cuomo said.
He apologized to Bennett in his message, saying he brought his personal experiences into the workplace when he should not have. Cuomo also apologized for further complicating her situation, saying his goal was the exact opposite.
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Another woman complained she was groped in his office, which Cuomo denied. Cuomo did not divulge details because the woman is seeking anonymity but may seek a legal claim for damages.
"Trial by newspaper or biased reviews are not the way to find the facts in this matter," Cuomo said. "I welcome the opportunity for a full and fair review before a judge and a jury because this just did not happen."
Other controversies involving the governor included a front-page headline of him kissing a woman and touching her face at a wedding. Cuomo said those gestures were meant to convey warmth and nothing more, adding there are thousands of photos of him making similar gestures to many different people.
Cuomo said he has brought in an expert to create a new sexual harassment policy and procedures and to train everyone in the executive branch, including himself.
"I accept responsibility and we are making changes," Cuomo said.
The governor claimed there was a double-standard because of criticisms of female managers in his office.
"A strong male manager is respected and rewarded," Cuomo said. "But a strong female manager is ridiculed and stereotyped. It is a double-standard. It is sexist. And it must be challenged."