Fact Check: Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, according to a damning report.

Fact Check: Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, according to a damning report

What We Know

On August 3, 2021, a report released by independent investigators appointed by New York Attorney General Letitia James concluded that Governor Andrew Cuomo had sexually harassed multiple women, including 11 specific individuals. The report detailed various forms of harassment, including unwanted groping, kissing, hugging, and inappropriate comments, which the accusers described as "deeply humiliating, uncomfortable, offensive, or inappropriate" (Independent Investigators Find Governor Cuomo Sexually ...).

The investigation, which lasted nearly five months, involved interviews with 179 individuals and a review of over 74,000 documents, emails, texts, and photographs. The findings indicated that Cuomo's actions violated both state and federal laws, as well as the Executive Chamber's own policies (REPORT OF INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGATIONS OF ...). Attorney General James emphasized the importance of the women's testimonies, stating, "No man — no matter how powerful — can be allowed to harass women or violate our human rights laws, period" (Letitia James Unveils Cuomo Report: 'I Believe These 11 ...).

Analysis

The report's conclusions are supported by extensive evidence, including corroborating testimonies from multiple witnesses and documentation of the incidents in question. The investigators found that Cuomo's conduct was not only inappropriate but also part of a broader culture of fear and intimidation within the Executive Chamber that enabled harassment to persist (Independent Investigators Find Governor Cuomo Sexually ...).

While Cuomo denied the allegations, the investigators characterized his responses as "blanket denials" and noted a significant discrepancy between his recollections and those of the complainants, who provided detailed and corroborated accounts of the harassment (REPORT OF INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGATIONS OF ...). The credibility of the sources involved in the investigation, including the independent attorneys who conducted it, is high, as they were appointed specifically for their expertise and impartiality in handling such sensitive matters.

Furthermore, subsequent investigations, including one by the New York State Assembly, corroborated the findings of the Attorney General's report, reinforcing the conclusion that Cuomo had engaged in a pattern of sexual harassment (Assembly Finds 'Overwhelming Evidence' Cuomo ...).

Conclusion

The claim that "Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, according to a damning report" is True. The independent investigation led by Attorney General Letitia James provided substantial evidence supporting this assertion, detailing various instances of harassment and the toxic environment that allowed such behavior to occur. The thoroughness of the investigation and the corroborating testimonies lend significant weight to the findings.

Fact Check: Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, according to a damning report.