A 2021 investigation put former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo into the defendant’s seat, and now he’s heading back to the courtroom to clear his name. On Thursday, Dec. 20, Cuomo’s lawyers filed a defamation lawsuit against one of the women accusing him of sexual harassment.
Charlotte Bennett sued Cuomo in New York’s federal court in 2022. Bennett said the harassment happened two years prior when she worked as his executive assistant. She called her former boss a “textbook abuser.”
Cuomo later addressed the allegations, saying he didn’t realize he had made anyone uncomfortable.
The court battle comes as part of an independent dive into Cuomo’s administration launched three years ago. Eleven women, including Bennett, came forward and said they experienced an “unsafe” and “toxic” work environment at the hands of the former governor.
New York’s Attorney General Letitia James cited evidence during a press conference in 2021, which led President Joe Biden and other congressional leaders to call for Cuomo’s resignation.
“Governor Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women by engaging in unwanted groping, kisses, hugging and by making inappropriate comments,” James said.
A former federal prosecutor led the investigation, combing through thousands of documents and over 150 interviews with witnesses.
However, since leaving office, Cuomo has denied the claims that stemmed from the investigation. “I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances,” he said during a televised speech.
Bennett announced on Dec. 12 that she had withdrawn her federal lawsuit. In a statement posted on X, Bennett’s attorney, Debra Katz, pointed to requests by Cuomo’s legal team for personal information –– including Bennett’s medical records from more than a decade ago, when she was a minor –– as a reason for dropping the lawsuit.
“Throughout this extraordinarily painful two-year case, I’ve many times believed that I’d be better off dead than endure more of his litigation abuse, which has caused extraordinary pain and expense to my family and friends.”
Statement by Charlotte Bennett
Katz added, “This fishing expedition was designed to dig up material to smear our client.”
However, Cuomo’s lawyers said their requests fell under rules that govern federal lawsuits and that they could prove the former executive assistant lied about her sexual harassment claims.
His lawyers wrote, “Governor Cuomo did not make any sexual advances toward Bennett and did not sexually harass her.” His lawyers add that since the allegations came to light, Cuomo has dealt with a cascade of harm.
Katz said that Bennett still plans to bring a case against the state of New York. It’s based on what she says she was subjected to during her employment.