NEW YORK – A former executive assistant who accused Gov. Andrew Cuomo of groping her has filed a criminal complaint against the governor with the Albany County Sheriff’s Office.
The criminal complaint, filed with the sheriff’s office Thursday, is believed to be the first against Cuomo. It comes days after Attorney General Letitia James said an independent investigation overseen by her office found the governor sexually harassed 11 women.
The ex-staffer, referred to as “Executive Assistant #1” in the AG’s report, has accused the governor of groping her in the Executive Mansion last year.
Sheriff Craig Apple told the New York Post that sheriff officials contacted the Albany County District Attorney’s Office after the complaint was filed and that it’s possible Cuomo could be arrested if authorities determine a crime was committed.
“The end result could either be it sounds substantiated and an arrest is made and it would be up to the DA to prosecute the arrest,” Apple told the outlet.
According to the AG report, Cuomo “engaged in a pattern of inappropriate conduct” with the former assistant, including “close and intimate hugs”; “kisses on the cheeks, forehead, and at least one kiss on the lips”; and “touching and grabbing of Executive Assistant #1’s butt during hugs and, on one occasion, while taking selfies with him.”
“These offensive interactions, among others, culminated in an incident at the Executive Mansion in November 2020 when the Governor, during another close hug with Executive Assistant #1, reached under her blouse and grabbed her breast,” the report says.
Cuomo has denied the allegations, saying again this week, "I never touched anyone inappropriately." He said the alleged groping encounter didn't happen.
Several district attorney offices, including for Manhattan, Albany, and Nassau and Westchester counties, have said they are interested in investigating claims of inappropriate touching by Cuomo, but all have said they need the women involved in the allegations to make a formal report.
Cuomo faces the prospect of impeachment in the state Legislature, with the New York State Assembly’s Judiciary Committee saying Thursday that its investigation was “nearing completion” and that the governor has until Aug. 13 to provide additional evidence. A spokesman for Cuomo said the governor would cooperate.
Meanwhile, Como’s first public accuser Lindsey Boylan plans to sue the governor for allegedly retaliating against her after coming forward with the allegations.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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