Ex-N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo accused of sexual harassment in new lawsuit: court records
Andrew Cuomo’s former executive assistant filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the former New York governor this week, court records show
Brittany Commisso — who for years has spoken publicly about her allegations against Cuomo — filed a civil lawsuit in Albany Wednesday, just before the state’s Adult Sex Abuse Act was set to expire, according to court documents and reports.
Commisso’s lawsuit arrives as Cuomo reportedly weighs a mayoral run in New York City and current Mayor Eric Adams faces a sexual harassment lawsuit of his own, also filed Wednesday.
“It disgusts me that Andrew Cuomo is even considering running for public office in the wake of Mayor Adam’s alleged sexual harassment,” Commisso told the Times Union, “when he himself will not accept responsibility or even acknowledge his sexual harassment of me, aside from numerous other victims, while the governor of our state.”
In her complaint, Commisso accuses Cuomo of continuous sexual harassment when she was under his employ that included “assignment of humiliating and demeaning tasks, hugs, kisses, sexual touching of the buttocks, and forcible touching of the breast.”
Commisso’s previous lawsuit against Cuomo, in which she accused the former Democrat governor of groping her, was dismissed in January 2022, the Messenger notes.
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Cuomo's attorneys denied Commisso’s allegations in a statement to Spectrum News that references the 2022 dismissal.
“Ms. Commisso’s claims are provably false, which is why the Albany District Attorney dismissed the case two years ago after a thorough investigation,” the statement reads.
“Ms. Commisso’s transparent attempt at a cash grab will fail.”
Cuomo resigned from office in August 2021 amid a growing number of sexual harassment allegations that culminated in an investigation by New York Attorney General Letitita James.
Commisso was among nearly a dozen complainants to testify. No criminal charges were brought against Cuomo.