One of the two women who accused the New York governor, Andrew Cuomo, of sexual harassment, criticized his “predatory behavior” on Monday and asked other women to come forward if they had similar complaints about him.
Charlotte Bennett’s request came when New York Attorney General Letitia James said that Cuomo’s office had formally requested an independent investigation into the allegations of Bennett and another former aide, Lindsey Boylan.
“For those who need to hear this, know that I am reserving space for you too,” said Bennett in a statement. “For the governor’s survivors: I’m here. Lindsey is here.”
“You don’t have to say a single word. But if you decide to speak your truth, we will be with you. I promise.”
Bennett hired a leading anti-employment lawyer, Debra Katz, who in her own statement said Bennett “will cooperate fully with the attorney general’s investigation.”
“We are confident that no disinterested investigator analyzing this evidence would adopt the governor’s selfish characterization of his behavior as a mentor or, at worst, unwanted flirtation,” said Katz. “He was not acting as a mentor and his comments were not misinterpreted by Ms. Bennett.”
“He was abusing his power over her for sex. This is classic sexual harassment.”
James, in a statement about her authority over the investigation, said in a statement: “This is not a responsibility that we take lightly, as allegations of sexual harassment must always be taken seriously.”
Bennett, in his statement, said that Cuomo “refused to acknowledge or take responsibility for his predatory behavior”.
“As we know, abusers – particularly those with tremendous power – are often repeat offenders who engage in manipulation tactics to lessen charges, blame victims, deny wrongdoing and escape the consequences,” she said.
Bennett noted that “it took the governor 24 hours and a significant reaction to allow for a truly independent investigation” after she released her allegations on Saturday in a New York Times article.
“These are not the actions of someone who simply feels misunderstood; it is the actions of an individual who exercises his power to avoid justice, ”said Bennett.
Cuomo over the weekend first suggested that Bennett and Boylan’s allegations be investigated by a former federal judge who once worked with the governor’s adviser.
Cuomo then moved on, with his office suggesting that James and Chief Judge Judith Kaye, who heads the state’s highest court, oversee the investigation together.
James refused to share supervision. And the governor’s office, dealing with a growing political reaction to the accusations and their machinations to control the investigation, agreed to ask the attorney general to handle the investigation.
Bennett said that when presenting his account “I expected to be attacked by those who reflexively question the honesty or motivation of those who report sexual harassment. I am not discouraged by these voices.”
She also said that, “Moving forward was a painful decision. I decided to share my story because I had faith that it would be supported and believed. This is usually not the case.”
“Sharing my experience was only possible because of survivors from the past who stood up and told their stories. I hope my story will help other survivors to feel that they can stand firm in their truth.”
CNBC has requested comments from the Cuomo office.
A letter of referral from Cuomo’s office to James on Monday granted his request for Bennett and Boylan’s claims to be investigated by a private lawyer or by attorneys delegated by the attorney general.
The letter from Cuomo’s special lawyer, Beth Garvey, said the findings of this investigation “will be disclosed in a public report”.
The letter also said that “due to the nature of this review” the governor’s office will not approve or receive weekly reports that are normally expected by state law that authorizes the attorney general to replace outside lawyers for such an investigation.
“All New York State officials were instructed to cooperate fully with this review,” wrote Garvey in the letter, which James released.
“I will serve as a point of contact for any witness interviews or document production for the Executive Board and will connect you with the appropriate attorney at any other agency or entity for any documents or witnesses needed for the review,” wrote Garvey.
Bennett, 25, told The Times in an article published on Saturday that Cuomo, 63, had asked her questions, including whether she “had ever been with an older man”, whether she was monogamous in her relationships and others. personal issues that made her feel uncomfortable.
Boylan said that Cuomo once kissed her without her consent and jokingly suggested playing strip poker on an official flight.
Cuomo denied the allegations of 36-year-old Boylan.
But in a statement released on Saturday, the governor did not contest Bennett’s claims about what he said.
“I never intended to offend anyone or cause any harm. I spend most of my life at work and colleagues are often also personal friends,” said Cuomo that day.
“Sometimes, at work, I think I’m joking and I make jokes that I think are funny. Sometimes I tease people in a way that I think is humorous,” said the governor.
“Now I understand that my interactions may have been insensitive or very personal and that some of my comments, given my position, made others feel like I never thought. I recognize that some of the things I said were misinterpreted as a flirtation unwanted. To the extent that someone felt that way, I’m really sorry about that. “
Cuomo also said, “To be clear, I never touched anyone inappropriately and I never made proposals to anyone and I never intended to make anyone feel uncomfortable, but those are claims to which New Yorkers deserve answers.”