NEW YORK (WCBS880) — A sixth woman has come forward accusing Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment, according to a new report by the Albany Times Union.
The report, released Tuesday, claims Cuomo inappropriately touched the woman, identified as a member of the Executive Chamber staff, last year at the governor's mansion.
The woman recently told a supervisor about the alleged encounter and the Albany Times Union reports the Cuomo administration learned of the matter Monday.
The administration relayed the complaint to the attorney general's office, which appointed Joon Kim, a former U.S. Attorney, and Anne Clark, an employment discrimination lawyer, to lead the investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against Cuomo.
In a statement to the Albany Times Union, Beth Garvey, acting counsel to the governor, said: "All allegations that we learn of directly or indirectly are going promptly to the investigators appointed by the attorney general."
Asked about the new allegation during a conference call with reporters on Tuesday afternoon the governor said, "I am not aware of any other claim" and insisted that he never touched anyone inappropriately and that he never made any inappropriate advances. He said no one ever told him at the time that he made them feel uncomfortable.
"I'm going to respect that investigation that the attorney general is doing and the investigation will get the facts. Every woman has the right to come forward, I encourage that, let the investigation get the facts and we'll take it from there," the governor said.
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Meanwhile, the state's lieutenant governor broke her silence on the situation, issuing a statement Tuesday addressing the sexual harassment scandal.
"With yesterday's announcement launching the independent investigation led by Joon H. Kim and Anne L. Clark, I am confident everyone's voice will be heard and taken seriously. I trust the inquiry to be completed as thoroughly and expeditiously as possible. New Yorkers should be confident that through this process they will soon learn the facts," Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said.
Hochul would become governor if Cuomo resigns or if he's removed from office by the legislature.
Cuomo said again Sunday that he would not resign, despite calls from some legislators that he do so amid allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior.
“I’m not going to resign because of allegations,” the governor said on a conference call with reporters. “The premise of resigning because of allegations is actually anti-democratic."
Last week, the governor said he was "embarrassed" by the allegations and apologized for his behavior.
"I now understand that I acted in a way that made people feel uncomfortable. It was unintentional and I truly and deeply apologize for it. I feel awful about it, and frankly, I am embarrassed by it," he said.
The governor wants people to wait for the attorney general's investigation to be completed.
In 2018, then-Attorney General Eric Schneiderman was accused of physically abusing women. Cuomo called on him to resign.
"There's obviously allegations and then there are allegations, and there's a spectrum of allegations," Cuomo said.
The top Republican in the state Senate is repeating his call for the governor to quit.
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