Andrew Cuomo Plans to Sue Sexual Harassment Accuser

What's New

Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York, indicated on Thursday that he plans to sue the individual who previously accused him of sexual harassment.

Cuomo filed a legal notice this week which accuses former aide Charlotte Bennett of defaming Cuomo in a December 9 statement in which she alleged the former governor sexually harassed her.

Why It Matters

Bennett emerged in 2021 as the second woman to accuse Cuomo of sexual harassment, claiming he asked invasive questions about her personal life and sexual relationships. Cuomo has denied the allegations. Bennett later filed lawsuits over the alleged misconduct in both state and federal courts.

Cuomo resigned in 2021 following a report by the state attorney general that concluded he had sexually harassed at least 11 women.

What To Know

Earlier this month, Bennett withdrew her federal lawsuit against Cuomo just before her scheduled deposition. In a statement announcing the decision, the law firm representing Bennett reiterated that Cuomo had "sexually harassed" her. Bennett shared the statement on X, formerly Twitter.

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks to members of the press at the U.S. Capitol on September 10, 2024, in Washington, DC. On Thursday, Cuomo filed a legal notice showing plans to sue his... Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

Cuomo is seeking both compensatory and punitive damages, according to the filing.

A separate investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice concluded that Cuomo created a sexually hostile work environment for at least 13 state employees and that his staff retaliated against four women who filed complaints.

A spokesperson for Cuomo pointed out that five district attorneys in New York declined to pursue charges after reviewing the allegations.

Cuomo, a Democrat, has denied the allegations, dismissing the investigations as politically motivated attacks. Since his resignation, he has focused on rebuilding his image and has hinted at a possible return to politics.

What People Are Saying

In a statement on Thursday, an attorney representing Cuomo said that the previous statement shared to social media by Bennett "was false and defamatory, and Bennett made it knowing full well that it was false and intending to cause harm to Governor Cuomo."

"Cuomo fully intends to clear his name and to ensure that Bennett and her agents never again repeat the falsehood that he sexually harassed Bennet," the statement added.

Bennett's attorney Debra S. Katz said in a statement on Thursday that Cuomo's defamation case has no merit.

"There is a long history of using defamation lawsuits to silence and punish accusers of sexual harassment. It is shameful that Mr. Cuomo has apparently now chosen to go down that path," Katz said in the statement.

What's Next

Cuomo is reportedly weighing a run for mayor of New York City.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.