UGH! I really, really don’t want to talk about IT, don’t want to think about this latest high-profile sexual harassment case involving New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
He now stands accused as a serial sexual harasser...a conclusion drawn from the nearly 200-page report detailing the independent investigation led by New York’s Attorney General Letitia James. James released the report last week after a months-long investigation, which included interviews with 11 accusers and a several-hour interview with the governor. James was direct about the investigations’ findings, saying, “Governor Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, many of whom were young women, by engaging in unwanted groping, kisses, hugging and by making inappropriate comments.”
What James detailed is classic sexual harassment behavior, and so is Governor Cuomo’s immediate denial, claiming, “generational misunderstanding.” He added, “I now understand that there are generational or cultural perspectives that frankly I hadn’t fully appreciated.” To underscore his denial, the governor released a video showing him kissing and hugging men and women of all ages.
Governor Cuomo is using a script that many other powerful men have followed to defend themselves against charges of sexual harassment. Harvey Weinstein did it, so did Bill Cosby and a roster of other men facing harassment charges.
In Cuomo’s denial, I hear the words of former President Bill Clinton, who insisted that he “did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky” after his affair with White House intern, Monica Lewinsky, was revealed. Later saying it all came down to “what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is.” As in, did you lie when you said you didn’t have an affair?
Lewinsky was about the same age of the young women who came forward in this independent investigation, about the same age of Governor Cuomo’s daughters. Back in March, 25-year-old Charlotte Bennett, a former Executive Assistant to the governor, was out front bringing charges of sexual harassment and revealing that some in his administration enabled the governor. Last week she told CBS’ Norah O’Donnell that the governor should resign, saying, “I don’t believe him, and I don't want an apology... it’s fake.”
I fear that, because of who Governor Cuomo is, the sexual harassment charges will end up as a sidebar to the anticipated political fallout from the investigation — whether Governor Cuomo succumbs to pressure to resign or the state legislators will vote to impeach him. But this case could be a real opportunity to focus on how widespread incidents of sexual harassment are. How many cases, despite the #MeToo movement, will never come to light because the women are not believed? I take some satisfaction in a bit of a full circle moment, as Charlotte Bennett’s attorney, Debra Katz, also represented Christine Blasey-Ford, who suffered through national humiliation after she accused then Supreme Court Justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh of harassment.
Based on the report’s findings, four New York prosecutors are reviewing the evidence in the report, including the Albany New York District Attorney, which has opened a criminal investigation. And there may be other charges specifically related to the groping allegations. None of this matters, if, in the end, there is no accountability.
It was hard enough to watch Bill Cosby get out of prison on a technicality. I am angry and hurt for Governor Cuomo’s accusers. I fervently wish he would have kept his hands and suggestive comments to himself. Whatever punishment he suffers will never be enough to make his victims whole again.
