NY Gov. Cuomo says he won't resign, but apologizes in wake of harassment allegations made against him

'I never touched anyone inappropriately'

'I never touched anyone inappropriately'

me make a an unrelated announcement. If I can, I want to address the recent allegations that have been made against me. As you probably know, the attorney general is doing an independent review, and I will fully cooperate with that review. Now the lawyers say, I shouldn't say anything when you have a pending review until that review is over. I understand that I'm a lawyer, too, but I want New Yorkers to hear from me directly on this. First, I fully support a woman's right to come forward, and I think it should be encouraged in every way. I now understand that I acted in a way that made people feel uncomfortable. It was unintentional and I truly and deeply apologize for it. I feel awful about it, and frankly, I am embarrassed. Buy it and that's not easy to say, but that's the truth. But this is what I want you to know, and I want you to know this from me directly. I never touched anyone inappropriately. I never touched anyone inappropriately. I never knew at the time that I was making anyone feel uncomfortable. I never knew at the time I was making anyone feel uncomfortable, and I certainly never, ever meant to offend anyone or hurt anyone or cause anyone any pain. That is the last thing I would ever want to do. I asked the people of this state to wait for the facts from the attorney general's report before forming an opinion. Get the facts, please, before forming an opinion, and the attorney general is doing that review, I will fully cooperate with it, and then you will have the facts and make a decision when you know the facts. I also want you to know that I have learned from what has been an incredibly a difficult situation for me as well as other people. And I've learned an important lesson. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for whatever pain I caused anyone, I never intended it, Uh, and I will be the better for this experience.

NY Gov. Cuomo says he won't resign, but apologizes in wake of harassment allegations made against him

'I never touched anyone inappropriately'

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo addressed the public for the first time in days Wednesday afternoon in the wake of three sexual harassment allegations. The Democratic governor apologized for his actions but denied that he touched anyone "inappropriately" and rejected calls from state legislators, including several in his party, to resign. "I now understand: I acted in a way that made people uncomfortable," Cuomo said. "It was unintentional, and I truly and deeply apologize for it."He continued, repeating multiple times that he "never touched anyone inappropriately." Cuomo also urged his constituents to wait for the results of an attorney general's inquiry into the allegations before forming an opinion on the matter. "The attorney general is doing that review," Cuomo said. "I will fully cooperate with it. And then you will have the facts." Three women, including two former staffers, have come forward in recent weeks with sexual harassment allegations against the governor. One former aide, Charlotte Bennett, told the New York Times that the governor made inappropriate questions on her sex life, including if she ever had sex with older men.Another former aide, Lindsey Boylan, a former deputy secretary for economic development and special adviser to the governor, recently accused Cuomo of subjecting her to an unwanted kiss and inappropriate comments. Cuomo denied the allegations.The most recent was released in a New York Times report Monday night. In it, a woman said the governor touched her lower back before grabbing her face and asking if he could kiss her at a 2019 wedding.The latest controversy with the administration comes on the heels of another — Cuomo is facing continued criticism for withholding, for months, complete data on the number of nursing home residents who died of COVID-19.State legislators announced Tuesday they would limit the governor's powers to set policy during the coronavirus pandemic.The Associated Press contributed to this report.

ALBANY, N.Y. —

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo addressed the public for the first time in days Wednesday afternoon in the wake of three sexual harassment allegations.

The Democratic governor apologized for his actions but denied that he touched anyone "inappropriately" and rejected calls from state legislators, including several in his party, to resign.

"I now understand: I acted in a way that made people uncomfortable," Cuomo said. "It was unintentional, and I truly and deeply apologize for it."

He continued, repeating multiple times that he "never touched anyone inappropriately."

Cuomo also urged his constituents to wait for the results of an attorney general's inquiry into the allegations before forming an opinion on the matter.

"The attorney general is doing that review," Cuomo said. "I will fully cooperate with it. And then you will have the facts."

Three women, including two former staffers, have come forward in recent weeks with sexual harassment allegations against the governor.

One former aide, Charlotte Bennett, told the that the governor made inappropriate questions on her sex life, including if she ever had sex with older men.

Another former aide, Lindsey Boylan, a former deputy secretary for economic development and special adviser to the governor, of subjecting her to an unwanted kiss and inappropriate comments. Cuomo denied the allegations.

The most recent was released in a New York Times Monday night. In it, a woman said the governor touched her lower back before grabbing her face and asking if he could kiss her at a 2019 wedding.

The latest controversy with the administration comes on the heels of another — Cuomo is facing continued criticism for withholding, for months, complete data on the number of nursing home residents who died of COVID-19.

State legislators announced Tuesday they would limit the governor's powers to set policy during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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