Governor Andrew Cuomo is not the only one facing the consequences of a sexual harassment scandal. According to a report compiled by New York’s Attorney General Letitia James, a group of staff helped the governor defend against these allegations by targeting the accusers.
This New York Times According to the report, Cuomo relied on close members of his subordinates to develop a strategy that included denigrating women who accused him of misbehaving. This retaliatory strategy is designed to silence other women who might come forward and make accusations.
The group crowded into the state capitol office of Melissa De Rosa, the governor’s senior aide, and launched an operation to discredit the female Lindsay Boylan, collecting a box of personnel files full of Sensitive information that they believe would undermine her credibility.
The attorney general’s report reveals how the governor relies on individuals inside and outside his government. New York Times It was pointed out that he consulted with “group leaders and victims of sexual harassment committed to supporting gay rights” who helped him “adjust” his response to the allegations.
As Red State Nick Arama reports that the two leaders of Time’s Up, an anti-sexual harassment organization, were established as a response to the #MeToo movement. assist Cuomo drafted a letter aimed at questioning Lindsay Boylan’s claims.
CNN media activist Chris CummerThe governor’s brother is also a member of the cabal. He instructed the governor on how to divert criticism related to the scandal.
New York Times It was pointed out that even after the report was released, Governor Cuomo continued to “rely on his closest aides and his team of lawyers” as they tried to figure out how to save his political career. However, it seems that his actions, even in addition to allegations of sexual harassment, have expelled many potential allies.
During his ten-year term as governor, he drove the Byzantine way of Albany and used brutal political power and tough methods of bullying and intimidation to control the state’s bureaucracy. Along the way, he alienated many people and narrowed his circle of confidants.
However, there are others who are still in Cummer’s corner. The governor’s senior assistant, Melissa DeRosa, was one of those who tried to dig up information about Boylan to discredit her. A former staff member claimed that De Rosa “pressured” her to call another staff member, named Caitlin in the report, who expressed support for Boylan and recorded the conversation.
The report also explained that Linda Lacewell, the head of the Financial Services Department, and two outside actors, including Kumer’s friend and former employee Steven M. Cohen and the governor’s former Legal counsel Alphonso David (Alphonso David).
The report went on to outline the involvement of various other individuals involved in transferring Boylan’s allegations back to her. In this letter, which has never been made public, they pointed out that Boylan allegedly called Como “handsome” and told other employees that she “loves” him. An adviser suggested that they imply that the plaintiff is a Trump supporter.
Although the letter was not published, the Attorney General’s report stated that a reporter saw a draft of the document and that part of it was “transmitted to another reporter”.
Those who worked with Cuomo to protect him from allegations of sexual misconduct allowed him to continue to avoid censorship. These people did not bother to understand one side of Boylan’s story, nor did they bother to understand other people who claimed that he harassed and beat them.
At this point, it seems unlikely to file criminal charges against Cuomo or his men. But it seems that a civil lawsuit is coming. However, no one who is familiar with the situation said whether such efforts will target individuals who try to help Cuomo avoid the consequences of his alleged actions.
However, it seems appropriate that the person who has Cuomo activated should also be held accountable. Although they may not deserve the same fate as the governor, helping someone to cover up such scandals is still to be condemned. Nevertheless, it is worth acknowledging that even if civil lawsuits are not taken against these people, their reputation will undoubtedly be affected. That might have to be good enough.
