Gov. Murphy Joins Chorus Of Calls For Cuomo's Resignation

Ocean City NJ

04 August, 2021

11:58 AM

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NEW JERSEY — Gov. Phil Murphy has joined a growing number of Democratic leaders across the country calling for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign, following the results of an investigation concluding that Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women. Murphy issued a joint statement Tuesday night alongside Gov. Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania, Gov. Ned Lamont of Connecticut and Gov. Dan McKee of Rhode Island. "We are appalled at the findings of the independent investigation by the New York Attorney General. Governor Cuomo should resign from office," the governors said. The statement came hours after President Joe Biden and other officials called for Cuomo to step down after a nearly five-month independent investigation reported that Cuomo had sexually harassed multiple women, including both current and former state employees. The 165-page report, released Tuesday by New York Attorney General Letitia James, said 11 women were telling the truth when they said Cuomo had touched them inappropriately, commented on their appearance or made suggestive comments about their sex lives. Read more: Cuomo Sexually Harassed Multiple Women: AG's Report During the investigation, two outside attorneys spoke to 179 people who said that employees - including current and former members of the executive chamber, state troopers and additional state employees - reported a "hostile work environment" around Cuomo that was "rife with fear and intimidation." Independent investigators also concluded that Cuomo harassed multiple women by engaging in unwanted groping, kissing, and hugging, and making inappropriate comments. In a recorded message, Cuomo said: "I want you to know, directly from me: I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances...That is not who I am or who I have ever been." As part of the investigation, Cuomo also sat with the interviewers and answered questions under oath. While the governor denied the most serious allegations, the investigators found that he did so by offering "blanket denials" or that he had a "lack of recollection as to specific incidents," the AG said. Cuomo and the executive chamber also engaged in "retaliatory" behavior by "intend[ing] to discredit and disparage" a former employee that came forward with her story of harassment, the report said. The findings also reported that Cuomo touched women's "intimate body parts" without consent. More than 74,000 documents, emails, texts, and pictures were reviewed as evidence during the investigation. "These interviews and pieces of evidence revealed a deeply disturbing yet clear picture: Gov. Cuomo sexually harassed current and former state employees in violation of federal and state laws," James said. With reporting by Lisa Finn.