Maria Shriver, a journalist and estranged from former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, questioned whether an apology for alleged unwanted sexual advances, issued on Wednesday by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, will be accepted.
Cuomo said he felt “terrible”, but that making others feel uncomfortable was “unintentional”.
The Democratic governor was accused of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior by three women, two of whom worked for him. The other was a guest at a wedding he celebrated.
“Intent … offense … hurt: an apology for all three of @NYGovCuomo. Will that be enough? Will it alleviate the pain, hurt, offense? Will the apology be accepted?” Shriver asked on Twitter.
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“Should @NYGovCuomo’s apology be accepted? An apology relieves hurt, pain, shame? It takes forever. This is perhaps what needs to be discussed openly … the consequences of such an offense”, added Shriver.
Cuomo was previously married to Kerry Kennedy, daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, who was Maria Shriver’s uncle.
Cuomo also said he “learned an important lesson” about his behavior with women.
He said “it doesn’t matter my intention, what matters is if someone was offended by this.
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“Now I understand that I acted in a way that made people uncomfortable,” said Cuomo. “It was not intentional and I really and deeply apologize for that.
“I am ashamed of what happened … I am ashamed that someone feels this way in my administration. I am ashamed and hurt and I apologize that someone who interacted with me felt that way, ”he added.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has apologized for his offensive behavior in the past. Maria Shriver wondered if that was enough.
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Cuomo said he would “cooperate fully” with an investigation into the allegations being independently overseen by the state’s attorney general. Attorney General Letitia James, also a Democrat, is selecting an outside law firm to conduct the investigation and document her findings in a public report.
The governor also said he has no plans to resign. “I was not elected by politicians. I was elected by the people of the state of New York. I will not resign ”, he confirmed.
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Former aide Charlotte Bennett, 25, said Cuomo had questioned her about her sex life and asked if she would be open to a relationship with an older man. Bennett said he believed he was assessing his interest in a case.
Another former aide, Lindsey Boylan, said that Cuomo commented on her appearance inappropriately, kissed her without her consent at the end of a meeting and once suggested that they play strip poker on board their state jet. Cuomo denied Boylan’s accusations.
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Anna Ruch told The New York Times that Cuomo put his hands on her face and asked if he could kiss her moments after they met at a September 2019 wedding in Manhattan.
The accusers rejected his last attempt to apologize.
Ron Blitzer and The Associated Press of Fox News contributed to this report.