New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) is facing allegations of sexual harassment from two former aides and calls for an independent investigation into them.
During an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was asked if President Joe Biden believes Cuomo’s denial or the women who have leveled the accusations.
“President Biden has been consistent that he believes that every woman should be heard, should be treated with respect, and with dignity,” Psaki said. “There should be an independent review looking into these allegations.”
When asked if Biden believes that the “essence” of the allegations are true, Psaki said, “He believes that every woman that comes forward should be treated with dignity and respect. They should be able to tell their story.”
She reiterated her belief that there should be an independent review of the allegations.
Watch the video below:
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on the sexual assault allegations against NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo: "There should be an independent review of these allegations. They're serious. … That's something we all support and the President supports" #CNNSOTU https://t.co/CxHK6Kgx7f pic.twitter.com/pPoDl1xhQ6
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) February 28, 2021
Last week, former Cuomo aide Lindsey Boylan outlined her allegations in a post on Medium. She accused the governor of unwanted touching and kissing her on the lips. She also claimed he suggested, “Let’s play strip poker.”
And on Saturday, The New York Times published allegations from former aide Charlotte Bennet who told the paper, “I understood that the governor wanted to sleep with me, and felt horribly uncomfortable and scared.”
She also said Cuomo asked her “questions about her personal life, including whether she was romantically involved, whether she was monogamous in her relationships and whether she had ever had sex with older men.”
Cuomo has denied the allegations.
His office said it had asked the state’s attorney general and an appeals court judge to choose an investigator to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations.
