Charlotte Bennett, one of several women who has accused Andrew Cuomo (D) of sexual harassment, said Tuesday that the New York governor should face impeachment if he refuses to resign.
Speaking with CBS News Norah ODonnell, Bennett, a former aide of Cuomos, said the governor broke federal and state law when he sexually harassed me and current and former staffers.
If hes not willing to step down, then we have a responsibility to act and impeach him, she said.
Bennett added that Cuomo who has flatly denied the many allegations against him was absolutely gaslighting her by insisting that hed only been showing concern towards her during encounters that had made her uncomfortable.
Hes trying to justify himself by making me out to be someone who cant tell the difference between sexual harassment and mentorship. I think thats absolutely absurd, Bennett told ODonnell.
We have a report. We have the facts, she continued, referring to the investigation conducted by New York Attorney General Letitia James which concluded that Cuomo had sexually harassed at least 11 women, including Bennett, since taking the helm as governor.
Cuomo, a Democrat, has served in the role since 2011.
James said Tuesday that Cuomo had sexually harassed current and former New York State employees by engaging in unwelcome and non-consensual touching and making numerous offensive comments of a suggestive and sexual nature that created a hostile work environment for women.
Bennett, who was the governors executive assistant and health policy adviser, has said the governor made inappropriate comments to her on several occasions.
During one encounter in June 2020, she claimed he asked her whether her experience with sexual assault had negatively impacted her sex life. He allegedly also told her he was lonely and was comfortable with the idea of dating anyone over 22.
Cuomo, 63, has refuted Bennetts claims and the findings in James report, saying the facts are much different than what has been portrayed and that he never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances.
During a Tuesday press conference, he addressed Bennetts allegations directly and said hed meant only to empathize with her during their conversation last June.
Bennett, he said, had identified herself to me as a survivor of sexual assault.
The truth is that her story resonated deeply with me, Cuomo said . I had heard the same story before with the same ugliness, the same injustice, the same damage. Not only had I heard the story before, I had lived the story before. My family member is a survivor of sexual assault in high school. I have watched her live and suffer with the trauma. I would do anything to make it go away for her, but it never really goes away.
The governor said he was truly and deeply sorry to Bennett for bringing his personal experiences to the workplace and for further complicating the situation.
My goal was the exact opposite. I wish nothing but good for you and for all survivors of sexual assault, he said.
In a tweet, Bennett responded to Cuomos comments, saying she does not want an apology I want accountability and an end to victim-blaming.
Support Free Journalism
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
She then tagged New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D) and beseeched him to do the right thing and impeach Cuomo.
President Joe Biden and several other high-profile Democrats including U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D) have called for Cuomos resignation .
The Governor must resign for the good of the state, Stewart-Cousins said in a statement.
Support Free Journalism
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
_(720p).jpg)
 OFFICIAL HD MUSIC VIDEO.jpg)
.jpg)
