NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — A groping allegation made against Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been reported to the Albany Police Department, a lawyer for the governor told multiple outlets on Thursday.
In the most serious allegation to come against Cuomo yet, a female aide told the Times Union of Albany that she was called to the governor’s residence late last year to help with a technical issue with a cell phone.
When she and Cuomo were alone on the second floor, the governor allegedly closed the door, reached under her blouse and fondled her, a source with direct knowledge of the claims told the Times Union. During the encounter, the aide told the governor to stop, according to the report.
According to a New York Times report, Cuomo’s attorney, Beth Garvey, says she called police on Wednesday night to report the allegations, after a lawyer for the aide told the governor’s office that the accuser did not want to file a report.
“As a matter of state policy, when allegations of physical contact are made, the agency informs the complainant that they should contact their local police department,” Ms. Garvey said in a statement to the Times. “If they decline, the agency has an obligation to reach out themselves and inform the department of the allegation.”
The Albany Police Department confirmed to several publications that it had been formally notified of the allegation.
A department spokesperson told the New York Times that a criminal investigation has not been opened, but that they have offered their services to the alleged victim, “as we would do with any other report or incident.”
Earlier this week, the Times Union reported other allegations from the woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, including that Cuomo had touched her and made flirtatious comments on multiple occasions.
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While five women had already accused the governor of sexual harassment or other inappropriate behavior in recent weeks, the latest allegation would be the most serious against Cuomo yet and reportedly could be pursued as misdemeanor sexual assault. According to Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, no criminal complaint had been filed by the aide to police.
The allegation first came to light during Cuomo’s March 3 news conference, his first after the latest sexual harassment allegations against him. In the briefing, the governor denied ever touching a woman “inappropriately.”
After hearing Cuomo’s remarks, the aide became emotional and told a female supervisor who approached her about her encounters with the governor. At least one supervisor reported the allegation to an attorney in the governor's office Monday, according to the Times Union.
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Five women had already accused the governor of sexual harassment or other inappropriate behavior— Charlotte Bennett, Lindsey Boylan, Ana Liss, Karen Hinton and Anna Ruch.
State Attorney General Letitia James has put together an investigative team to probe Cuomo’s workplace conduct. The governor has called on lawmakers and the public to await the results of that investigation.
“As I said yesterday, I have never done anything like this,” Cuomo said in a statement Wednesday responding to the latest allegation. “The details of this report are gut-wrenching. I am not going to speak to the specifics of this or any other allegation given the ongoing review, but I am confident in the result of the attorney general’s report.”
While some state legislators from both parties have called for Cuomo’s resignation or impeachment, most have indicated they will wait for the probe’s conclusion. State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins has called for the governor to step down and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has questioned the governor’s ability to lead the state. Both Stewart-Cousins and Heastie are Democrats like Cuomo.
Assembly member Ron Kim, a Democrat who has accused Cuomo of bullying him, was among the lawmakers calling on the governor to be impeached if he doesn’t resign.
“It’s absolutely disgusting,” Kim told WCBS 880 of the accusations on Wednesday. “The latest credible allegation against Andrew Cuomo is now a case of sexual assault, and I can’t believe this man is still in office, where he can continue to abuse his powers while preying on other female staff members. If he doesn’t have the self-dignity to resign, the Legislature now has a moral duty to remove him from office while we investigate his actions.”
State Senate Republican leader Rob Ortt also called for Cuomo to be impeached.
“The era of this Governor’s misdeeds must come to an end,” Ortt said in a statement.
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Cuomo has said he has no intention of resigning as the state awaits the attorney general’s report.
The accusations of sexual misconduct come as federal investigators scrutinize how Cuomo's administration handled data concerning COVID-19 at nursing homes.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.