Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has been charged with forcible touching, a class A misdemeanor in the state of New York. If convicted, Cuomo will face up to one year in jail or three years on probation.
NBC News reports that the incident in question took place on December 7, 2020. Cuomo has been accused of placing his hand under the victim’s shirt and “onto her intimate body part” for “purposes of degrading and gratifying his sexual desires.”
The decision to press charges against Cuomo comes months after New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a 165-page report detailing the former governor’s alleged misconduct. In a statement obtained by The Hill, James said that the charges “further validate the findings” she presented earlier this year.
“From the moment my office received the referral to investigate allegations that former Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, we proceeded without fear or favor,” James stated.
“The criminal charges brought today against Mr. Cuomo for forcible touching further validate the findings in our report.”
Cuomo is expected to appear in court for the first time on November 17, 2021.
BREAKING: A criminal summons has been issued for former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
“Albany City Court has issued a Criminal Summons for Andrew M. Cuomo to appear in court on November 17, 2021 at 2:30 p.m.” pic.twitter.com/mJ339SKs2G
— Morgan Mckay (@morganfmckay) October 28, 2021
