WARNING: The article below contains content pertaining to, but not limited to civil lawsuits concerning accusations of the following offenses: sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, rape and sex trafficking. If you or some you know has been sexually assaulted, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo is the subject of a recently filed sexual harassment lawsuit. Filed under the New York Adult Survivors Act, the lawsuit alleges the former governor groped his former staffer, Brittany Commisso, in 2020 and retaliated against her when she declined to perform sexual acts for him.
“[Former Governor Andrew Cuomo] put his hand up my blouse and cupped my breast over my bra,” Commisso told CBS during an interview in 2020.
“I exactly remember looking down, seeing his hand, which is a large hand, thinking to myself, ‘Oh, my God. This is happening.’”
Months later, nearly a dozen women accused the former governor of sexual harassment. Prosecutors elected to investigate Commisso’s claims in 2022, but declined to charge Cuomo.
“While we found the complainant in this case cooperative and credible, after review of all the available evidence we have concluded that we cannot meet our burden at trial,” said District Attorney David Soares.
Cuomo has stepped down from his position as governor, but maintains that he did not sexually harass Commisso.
“Ms. Commisso’s claims are provably false, which is why the Albany County District Attorney dismissed the case two years ago after a thorough investigation,” Cuomo’s attorney Rita Glavin said.
“Ms. Commisso’s transparent attempt at a cash grab will fail. We look forward to seeing her in court.”