His accusers were not silent, however: Charlotte Bennett, a former aide who accused Cuomo of sexual harassment, made her first public statement since outlining her allegations in a New York Times article, saying the apology and attempt of explanation issued by the governor on Sunday night was terribly inadequate.
“These are not the actions of someone who simply feels misunderstood,” wrote Bennett. “These are the actions of an individual who exercises his power to avoid justice”.
Ms. Bennett also asked other women, if they had similar stories about Mr. Cuomo, to introduce themselves. “If you decide to speak your truth, we will be with you,” she said. “I promise.”
At the same time, the initial stages of an pending investigation into Mr. Cuomo’s actions were underway within the offices of the state’s attorney general, Letitia James, who was evaluating options for an outside investigator.
In the statement released on Sunday night, Mr. Cuomo addressed his behavior, including “some of my previous interactions with people in the office”, saying that he often played and joked with his subordinates, “being playful” in what he called ” a very serious business. ”
This, he suggested, was misinterpreted.
“I now understand that my interactions may have been insensitive or very personal and that some of my comments, given my position, made others feel in ways I never intended,” he said.
Bennett’s lawyer, Debra S. Katz, cast doubt on the governor’s initial suggestion, released in a statement late on Saturday, that his relationship with Bennett was that of a mentor to his employee, almost four decades younger.