Third Woman Accuses Cuomo Of Unwanted Sexual Advances — De Blasio Says He Witnessed The Governor Being ‘Abusive’
The sexual assault scandal against New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo just keeps getting bigger as more and more women are coming out to accuse the Democratic governor’s past sexual insinuations.
On Monday, a third woman came out in an interview with The New York Times, also claiming that Governor Cuomo made unwanted sexual advances to her back in 2019 — adding to an escalating scandal facing the Democratic governor in the wake of two sexual harassment allegations earlier hurdled at him.
Anna Ruch claimed that the Democratic governor asked to kiss her at a wedding reception and said Cuomo even placed his hand on her lower back.
“So confused and shocked and embarrassed by the incident,” the 33-year-old noted that she pulled away from the 63-year-old governor.
“I turned my head away and didn’t have words at that moment,” Ruch, who claimed she had never met Cuomo prior to that reception said.
A third woman has accused Governor Cuomo of unwanted touching and sexual attention, saying he placed his hands on her face and asked if he could kiss her at her friend's wedding. A friend took a series of pictures of the incident as it occurred. https://t.co/bgvzBK4vK0 pic.twitter.com/hXvgTvSntQ
— Evan Hill (@evanchill) March 2, 2021
A spokesperson for the Democratic Cuomo reportedly issued the earlier statement released by Cuomo’s camp where he apologized for things that “have been misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation.”
“To the extent anyone felt that way, I am truly sorry about that,” Cuomo’s statement earlier said.
Prior to Ruch’ allegations, Governor Cuomo was already accused last week of sexual harassment by a former aide, Lindsey Boylan for “unwanted touching and kissing.”
Today I am telling my story. I never planned to share the details of my experience working in the Cuomo administration, but I am doing so now in hopes that it may make it easier for others to speak their own truth. https://t.co/n1Lcc6Ac66
— Lindsey Boylan (@LindseyBoylan) February 24, 2021
Another ex-staffer of Cuomo, Charlotte Bennett, claimed that Cuomo made “overtures to a sexual relationship.”
EXCLUSIVE/BREAKING: A 25-year-old former aide to @NYGovCuomo told the @nytimes the Governor sexually harassed her, asking if she had had sex with older men, among other claims.
Cuomo says was a mentor, "never made advances," or acted inappropriately. https://t.co/y7TzreIJj9
— Jesse McKinley (@jessemckinley) February 27, 2021
The latest allegation comes as Attorney General Letitia James announced that the governor’s office sent a letter permitting her office to perform an independent investigation.
De Blasio slams Cuomo; says sexual harrasment “not funny”
As the scandal against the Democratic governor deepens, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio finally broke his silence on Monday — telling a radio show that he wants “full investigation” into the allegations against Cuomo.
de Blasio also said he was “sickened” by the governor’s alleged “abusive” behavior, which he claimed to have witnessed.
"It sickened me, it sickened me," de Blasio says about sexual harassment allegations against Cuomo. "The thought of a powerful man tryin to take advantage of his power, intimidate a young woman…"
— Madina Touré (@madinatoure) March 1, 2021
"… and just the sense of like he was treating her like — again these are allegations and we need a full investigation — but if that was what truly happened it was like he was treating her like she was his property. Just disgusting, creepy."
— Madina Touré (@madinatoure) March 1, 2021
"Sexual harassment is not funny… who the hell tries to explain that by saying I was just joking around," the mayor says, criticizing Cuomo's latest statement on the allegations.
— Madina Touré (@madinatoure) March 1, 2021
“It sickened me, it sickened me,”de Blasio told a radio program. “The thought of a powerful man trying to take advantage of his power, intimidate a young woman and just the sense that he was treating her like — again these are allegations and we need a full investigation — but if that was what truly happened it was like he was treating her like she was his property. Just disgusting, creepy.”
de Blasio also slammed Cuomo’s statement where he claimed that he would “make jokes” that could be considered inappropriate by others.
“Sexual harassment is not funny,” de Blasio said. “Who the hell tries to explain that by saying I was just joking around?”
He went on to panel the Governor saying he’d seen Cuomo “abusive.”
“I’ve seen him be abusive in a way that would not be accepted by anyone in leadership,” he said.
"I've seen him be abusive in a way that would not be accepted by anyone in leadership," he says, though he notes in terms of sexual harassment. Says when Ron Kim shared his exchange with Cuomo, he had heard that kind of language before.
— Madina Touré (@madinatoure) March 1, 2021
Sorry, meant to say “though he notes not in terms of sexual harassment.”
— Madina Touré (@madinatoure) March 1, 2021
Boylan, Bennett express support to Ruch
Meanwhile, Bennett in her first public statement since coming out with her claims against Cuomo said the apology issued by the governor’s camp was “woefully inadequate.”
“These are not the actions of someone who simply feels misunderstood,” Bennett said. “They are the actions of an individual who wields his power to avoid justice.”
She then called on other women with similar experience about the Democratic governor to come forward.
“If you choose to speak your truth, we will be standing with you,” Bennett said. “I promise.”
To Ruch, Bennett tweeted: “I stand with Anna Ruch. Anna — I hear you, I see you. I’m so sorry. His inappropriate and aggressive behavior cannot be justified or normalized. Thank you for your courage and strength. Here for you always.”
I stand with Anna Ruch. Anna — I hear you, I see you. I’m so sorry. His inappropriate and aggressive behavior cannot be justified or normalized. Thank you for your courage and strength. Here for you always. https://t.co/EkxV05VPVX
— Charlotte Bennett (@_char_bennett_) March 2, 2021
Boylan, the first accuser of Cuomo also wrote a message of support to Ruch.
“This doesn’t make me feel validated. It makes me feel sick. I feel nauseous thinking about Anna’s experience. I am sending her love and light. Charlotte and I are with you, Anna,” she said.
This doesn’t make me feel validated. It makes me feel sick. I feel nauseous thinking about Anna’s experience. I am sending her love and light.
Charlotte and I are with you, Anna. https://t.co/0ZSfeQkPQv
— Lindsey Boylan (@LindseyBoylan) March 2, 2021
