House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is speaking out about the women who have come forward accusing New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) of sexual harassment.
“The women who have come forward with serious and credible charges against Governor Cuomo deserve to be heard and to be treated with dignity,” Pelosi said in a statement to Fox News.
She added, “The independent investigation must have due process and respect for everyone involved.”
Former aide Lindsey Boylan accused Cuomo of trying to kiss her and telling her he wanted to play strip poker.
The New York Times reported on Saturday, another one of his former aides, Charlotte Bennett, said Cuomo asked her about her sex life and other questions about relationships she had with other men.
In a statement the governor released on Sunday, he apologized for his “insensitive” interactions, as IJR reported.
“I now understand that my interactions may have been insensitive or too personal and that some of my comments, given my position, made others feel in ways I never intended. I acknowledge some of the things I have said have been misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation. To the extent anyone felt that way, I am truly sorry about that,” he said.
Cuomo continued, “To be clear, I never inappropriately touched anybody, and I never propositioned anybody, and I never intended to make anyone feel uncomfortable, but these are allegations that New Yorkers deserve an answer to.”
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also said on Sunday she believes there should be an independent investigation.
During an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” she was asked if President Joe Biden believes Cuomo’s rejection of the allegations or the women who have come forward.
“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.”
She continued, “He believes that every woman that comes forward should be treated with dignity and respect. They should be able to tell their story.”
On Sunday, Cuomo asked New York Attorney General Letitia James to appoint a private lawyer to perform an independent review of the allegations. His office said he would cooperate with the review fully.
“I stand ready to oversee that investigation and make any appointments necessary,” James said in a statement earlier on Sunday.
She added, “Given state law, this can only be accomplished through an official referral from the governor’s office based on State Law (§ 63-8) and must include subpoena power. I urge the governor to make this referral immediately.”
