Gov. Andrew Cuomo's sexual harassment accuser asks other women to come forward, condemns 'predatory behavior'

One of the two women who have accused New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment blasted his „predatory behavior“ on Monday, and called on other women to come forward if they have similar complaints about him.

Charlotte Bennett’s request came as New York Attorney General Letitia James said that Cuomo’s office had formally requested an independent investigation of the allegations by Bennett and another former aide, Lindsey Boylan.

„For anyone who needs to hear this, know I am holding space for you, too,“ Bennett said in a statement. „To the Governor’s survivors: I am here. Lindsey is here.“

„You do not have to say a single word. But if you choose to speak your truth, we will be standing with you. I promise.“ 

Bennett has retained a leading employment discrimination lawyer, Debra Katz, who in her own statement said that Bennett „will cooperate fully with the Attorney General’s investigation.“

„We are confident that no disinterested investigator who reviews this evidence would adopt the Governor’s self-serving characterization of his behavior as mentorship or, at worst, unwanted flirtation,“ Katz said. „He was not acting as a mentor and his remarks were not misunderstood by Ms. Bennett.“

„He was abusing his power over her for sex. This is textbook sexual harassment.“

James, in a statement about her authority over the probe, said, „This is not a responsibility we take lightly as allegations of sexual harassment should always be taken seriously.“

Bennett, in her statement, said Cuomo „has refused to acknowledge or take responsibility for his predatory behavior.“

„As we know, abusers – particularly those with tremendous amounts of power – are often repeat offenders who engage in manipulative tactics to diminish allegations, blame victims, deny wrongdoing and escape consequences,“ she said.