Andrew Cuomo To Sue Former Aide Over Harassment Allegations | EUROtoday

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday filed a authorized discover that he intends to sue a lady who accused him of sexual harassment.

The submitting accuses former aide Charlotte Bennett of defaming Cuomo in a Dec. 9 assertion that stated the previous governor sexually harassed her.

Bennett got here ahead in 2021 because the second lady to accuse Cuomo of sexual harassment, alleging he subjected her to invasive questions on her private life and sexual relationships. Cuomo denies Bennett’s allegations. She later sued over the alleged misconduct in separate instances in state and federal courtroom.

Cuomo resigned in 2021 after a report from the state lawyer normal discovered he sexually harassed no less than 11 girls.

Earlier this month, Bennett dropped her federal lawsuit towards Cuomo earlier than she was to be deposed. In a press release saying the case was being dropped, a legislation agency representing Bennett stated Cuomo “sexually harassed” her. Bennett reposted the assertion on the social platform X.

Cuomo’s attorneys wrote on Thursday that the assertion “was false and defamatory, and Bennett made it knowing full well that it was false and intending to cause harm to Governor Cuomo.”

His legal professionals added that “Cuomo fully intends to clear his name and to ensure that Bennett and her agents never again repeat the falsehood that he sexually harassed Bennet.”

Cuomo is searching for compensatory and punitive damages, in accordance with the submitting.

Bennett’s lawyer on Thursday stated a defamation case from Cuomo has no benefit.

“There is a long history of using defamation lawsuits to silence and punish accusers of sexual harassment. It is shameful that Mr. Cuomo has apparently now chosen to go down that path,” stated lawyer Debra S. Katz.

Bennett’s lawsuit in state courtroom is ongoing.

A separate investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice discovered that Cuomo subjected no less than 13 state staff to a sexually hostile work surroundings and that his staffers retaliated towards 4 girls who raised complaints.

Cuomo, a Democrat, has denied the allegations and has dismissed the investigations as political smears. He has spent the years since his resignation working to rehabilitate his picture and trace at a return to political workplace.

He is rumored to be contemplating a run for mayor of New York City.