Democratic Critics Slam Cuomo for Dodging Sexual Harassment Questions During NY Governorship
Andrew Cuomo dodges harassment questions at NYC mayoral debate, dismissing allegations as political and false despite settlement reports.
During Wednesday evening's heated New York City mayoral debate, Andrew Cuomo repeatedly sidestepped direct questions about the sexual harassment allegations that led to his resignation as governor in 2021. Despite being pressed by both opponents and moderators, Cuomo maintained his innocence, calling the accusations "political" and "false."
Michael Blake, a former state assemblyman from the Bronx and an opponent in the race, seized the moment to challenge Cuomo on the debate stage, urging viewers—particularly women—to take note of Cuomo's refusal to address the issue directly. "Andrew Cuomo would not respond when had a chance about sexual harassment – every woman watching tonight – he was just given a chance to actually address the clear claims that were stated, and he ignored it." Blake went on to argue that Cuomo’s presence in the race represents a safety risk for women across the city, labeling him as “the greatest threat to public safety in New York City.”
The backdrop to the debate is a lengthy history of allegations against Cuomo, including a report by the New York Attorney General confirming that he sexually harassed multiple women from 2013 through 2020. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice reached a nearly $500,000 settlement with Cuomo's executive office over one of the claims. Yet, despite these findings and settlements, no criminal charges have ever been filed, with various district attorneys citing insufficient evidence to proceed.
Cuomo’s response to the mounting pressure on stage was to emphasize that investigations from both Democratic and Republican district attorneys around the state resulted in no charges against him. "A report was done four years ago making certain allegations. I said at the time, that it was political and it was false. Five district attorneys ... looked at it all across the state, found absolutely nothing," Cuomo stated, reiterating his long-held defense that the scandal was the result of political motivation rather than wrongdoing.
Despite the ongoing controversy, Cuomo enters the mayoral race as a frontrunner, an outcome that continues to fuel passionate debate about whether he is fit to serve in public office again. During the debate, moderators directly confronted him, reading queries from voters who expressed confusion and concern about the allegations. While Cuomo acknowledged that his actions may have unintentionally offended others, he stopped short of admitting guilt, stating, "if I offended anyone, it was unintentional. But I apologize."
The controversy surrounding Cuomo remains a central issue in the mayoral campaign, with his opponents determined not to let the matter slide. Questions about public trust, personal accountability, and leadership continue to dominate the discourse as New Yorkers evaluate their options for the city's next mayor.
