Misdemeanor Sex Crime Complaint Filed Against Former Gov. Cuomo

By Associated Press
October 28, 2021

A transgression ailment filed by a constabulary researcher with a tribunal successful Albany has accused erstwhile New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of committing a misdemeanor enactment crime, though determination were reports Friday that the papers mightiness person been submitted successful error.

The little complaint, filed by an researcher with the Albany County Sheriff's Office, accused Cuomo of putting his manus nether a woman's garment Dec. 7, 2020. The papers didn't sanction the woman, but Cuomo had been publically accused of groping an aide, Brittany Commisso, astatine the enforcement mansion successful Albany past year.

The Albany County territory attorney's bureau and Albany County Sheriff did not instantly instrumentality messages, but the Times Union of Albany quoted unnamed officials arsenic saying the ailment had been issued "prematurely" by the tribunal and that a last determination hadn't been made astir whether Cuomo would look charges.

Cuomo's lawyer and spokesperson didn't instantly instrumentality messages seeking comment.

Commisso, who was an enforcement adjunct for Cuomo, says helium reached nether her garment and fondled her erstwhile they were unsocial successful a country astatine the governor's mansion successful Albany precocious past year. 

She said Cuomo pulled her successful for a hug arsenic she prepared to permission the governor's bureau astatine the mansion. When she told him, "you're going to get america successful trouble," Cuomo replied, "I don't care," and slammed the doorway shut, according to her account. Commisso said Cuomo slid his manus up her blouse and grabbed her breast.

Cuomo has adamantly denied groping her, saying once, "I would person to suffer my caput to bash specified a thing."

The Associated Press doesn't usually place alleged intersexual battle victims unless they determine to archer their stories publicly, arsenic Commisso has done successful paper and tv interviews.

Commisso filed a ailment with the region sheriff successful August successful the aforesaid week a study from authorities Attorney General Letitia James concluded the Democratic politician sexually harassed 11 women and worked to retaliate against 1 of his accusers. Other accusations outlined successful the study scope from planting unwanted kisses to asking unwelcome idiosyncratic questions astir enactment and dating.

Cuomo announced his resignation a week aft the merchandise of the blistering report, marking a melodramatic downfall for the third-term politician who had been seen arsenic a beacon of sturdy competence during his regular COVID-19 briefings successful 2020.

Commisso was referred to arsenic "Executive Assistant #1" successful the study but publically revealed her individuality aft its release. She is the lone pistillate mentioned successful the lawyer general's study known to person filed a transgression complaint.

Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple astatine the clip promised a "very comprehensive" probe successful concern Albany County District Attorney David Soares.

Cuomo lawyer Rita Glavin has said that Commisso's "story changed implicit time."

The ailment filed by the sheriff's section researcher said grounds successful the lawsuit included constabulary blackberry messages, cellphone records, gathering information records and a substance connection from Cuomo's mobile phone.

District attorneys successful Oswego, Manhattan, suburban Westchester and Nassau counties besides had said they asked for investigative materials from the lawyer general's enquiry to spot if immoderate of the allegations could effect successful transgression charges.

Also, the Assembly Judiciary Committee is completing a wide-ranging impeachment probe of Cuomo that began earlier helium resigned. The besides were looking astatine the administration's handling of COVID-19 information and efforts to unreserved COVID-19 investigating for Cuomo's interior ellipse successful outpouring 2020.

Additional reporting by the Associated Press.