“As I got up to leave and walk toward an open door, he stepped in front of me and kissed me on the lips … My boss soon informed me that the Governor had a “crush” on me...The Governor would go out of his way to touch me on my lower back, arms and legs.” These are the words of Lindsey Boylan, who is currently a candidate for Manhattan borough president, and who was formerly an aide to New York’s beloved Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Cuomo is currently under fire because of the statements made against him by Boylan and two other women, Charlotte Bennett and Anna Ruch. All three women reported incidents of sexual harassment that ranged from touching, to unnecessary remarks, to stalking behavior, and even to a suggestion of playing “strip poker.” This behavior seemed to be commonplace in the governor’s office, but it was always excused. In the words of Lindsey Boylan, “Governor Andrew Cuomo has created a culture within his administration where sexual harassment and bullying is so pervasive that it is not only condoned but expected.” Boylan bravely broke the silence in a Twitter thread at the end of February, and she also published a detailed essay. Bennett followed by publishing her allegations in the New York Times. Ruch told her account in the Times.
Cuomo denied ever touching anyone inappropriately and alluded that some of his words or “jokes” may have been misinterpreted. He made a public statement, saying, “If they were offended by it, then it was wrong. If they were offended by it, I apologize. If they were hurt by it, I apologize. If they felt pain from it, I apologize. I apologize. I did not intend it. I didn’t mean it that way, but if that’s how they felt, that’s all that matters and I apologize.” The governor has decided not to resign.