NEW YORK (WBEN) – A former aide who has accused Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment alleges that the governor had a staffer complete his workplace sexual harassment training for him.
“In 2019, he did not take the sexual harassment training,” Charlotte Bennett told Norah O'Donnell in a "CBS Evening News" interview.
“How do you know that?” O'Donnell asked.
“I was there. I heard Stephanie say, ‘I can’t believe I’m doing this for you,’” Bennett said, referring to Cuomo office director Stephanie Benton. “I’m making a joke about the fact that she was completing the training for him, and then I heard her at the end ask him to sign the certificate.”
Cuomo’s office released a statement to CBS News that said Benton “categorically denies the exchange” and that the claim “is not true.”
“Some state employees take an online course; for Executive Chamber Senior Staff, the training takes the form of personal review of documentation,” Special Counsel to the Governor Beth Garvey told CBS News. “The Governor did this review of the mandated material and completed the training.”
Cuomo was asked by a reporter earlier this week if he had completed the training.
“The short answer is yes,” the governor said.
Bennett, 25, said Cuomo quizzed her about her sex life, asked if she felt age made a difference in relationships and said he was fine dating "anyone above the age of 22." Bennett said she believed he was gauging her interest in an affair. Cuomo has denied making advances on Bennett.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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