News / Society

Cuomo faces new claims of sexual harassment from current aide

Friday, 19 March 2021 11:38 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 19 March 2021 11:44 PM ]

In this file photo Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo speaks during a press conference at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on May 26, 2020 at Wall Street in New York City.

In the latest case of sexual harassment against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, one of his current aides has gone on record, accusing him of ogling her body, remarking on her looks, and making suggestive comments to her and another woman in his office.

I an article published by The New York Times on Friday, the aide, Alyssa McGrath, explained that Cuomo told her she was beautiful in Italian and asked about her not wearing a wedding ring and the status of her divorce. Additionally, McGrath said Cuomo looked down her shirt and commented on a necklace she was wearing.

She is the first current employee of the governor's office to speak publicly about harassment allegations in Cuomo's administration, and one of numerous women to come forward and accuse the governor of misconduct.

Biden says Cuomo should resign if sexual misconduct allegations are...

The 33-year-old joins more than a half dozen other women, including another current aide and several past Cuomo aides, in accusing the 63-year-old governor of sexual harassment, or of making inappropriate physical contact and comments.

“I have no doubt in my mind that all of these accusers are telling the truth,” McGrath said, adding that “has a way of making you feel very comfortable around him, almost like you’re his friend. But then you walk away from the encounter or conversation, in your head going, ‘I can’t believe I just had that interaction with the governor of New York.”

The Times Union had recently published an unnamed aide’s account of the governor groping her in the Executive Mansion. McGrath told the Times that the unnamed aide detailed the account of what happened after it was first published in the Times Union.

“She froze when he started doing that stuff to her,” McGrath said, adding that Cuomo told the aide not to tell McGrath about the incident.

Cuomo has denied all of the allegations but his attorney Rita Galvin told the Times that Cuomo "has greeted men and women with hugs and a kiss on the cheek, forehead, or hand. Yes, he has posed for photographs with his arm around them. Yes, he uses Italian phrases like ‘ciao bella.’ ”

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk