AG Tish James Finds that Gov. Cuomo Violated Federal, State Laws in Multiple Harassment Incidents

By Yehudit Garmaise

     New York Attorney General Letitia James announced today that “Gov. Andrew Cuomo violated federal and state law by harassing multiple woman," as she completed her investigation into the many allegations of harassment that have been made against the governor.

     In February, James launched her five-month long investigation that included many interviews with both the staffers who accused the governor of harassment and the governor himself in an 11-hour interview on July 17.

      “We find that the governor in multiple occasions engaged in harassment of several New York state employees,” said Joon Kim, the U.S. attorney for the Southern district and one of the independent investigators. "These were not isolated incidents or limited to members of his own staff, but extended to other state employees, including a state trooper who served on his own detail.

     “We reached these findings after a through and independent investigation. Our findings are supported by 179 witnesses and tens of thousands of documents, pictures, and files."

     “We find that the governor engaged in harassing behavior of state employees on repeated occasions, and retaliated against some who spoke out,” said Anne Clark, an employment discrimation lawyer, who is another independent investigator. “These findings are despite the fact that the governor many times denied that he touched anyone."

     “[Clark and Kim] are experienced, credible, and deeply respected professionals,” Attorney General James said. “They made sure this investigation was independent and thorough.

     “Our evidence reveals a deeply disturbing but clear picture. The governor harassed multiple employees violating state laws. Plus, the governor and his senior team took actions to unlawfully retaliate against someone who spoke out to give her truth.

     “The governor created a hostile workplace where staffers did not feel comfortable coming forward due to a climate of fear and due to the power dynamics.

     “He violated several state and federal laws, as well as the executive chamber’s own policies. The governor corrodes the very fabric of our state government and shines a light on injustice that can be found on the highest levels of government.”

     "Verbal abuse, intimididation, and harassment were all part of the toxic culture that made it impossible for complainants to report their experiences: until one stepped forward to say, 'Enough is enough,'" wrote one witness. 

   "The 11 victims' evidence is substantiated and corroborated, and I believe them," James said simply. "We have concluded our investigation, and the work of the attorney general's office is done."

      James also said that the Gov. Cuomo's employees will have to decide for themselves whether or not they wish to pursue civil actions against the governor.

     "As far as the next step [in terms of the governor resigning or being impeached], that is up to the governor, the Assembly, and the people of New York," James said.

   

(Kevin P. Coughlin / Office of the Governor)