Biden to address NY Gov. Cuomo sexual assault allegations amid new calls for him to resign
following a damning new report from the state attorney general’s office that alleged Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women in violation of state and federal laws.
Biden told reporters he will take questions after a White House speech he’s scheduled to give at 3:45 p.m. on COVID-19 vaccinations when asked whether Cuomo should resign.
Pressed with the same question, White House press secretary Jen Psaki deferred to the president’s upcoming comments.
“I’m not going to get ahead of his comments,” Psaki said, later adding: “I don’t know how anyone could have watched this morning and not found the allegations to be abhorrent. I know that I certainly did.”
More:Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women in violation of law, AG report finds
In March, Biden said Cuomo should resign if the AG investigation confirmed sexual assault claims made by multiple women.
“Yes,” Biden told ABC News at the time. “I think he’ll probably end up being prosecuted, too.”
Responding to the report in a 14-minute address, Cuomo remained defiant, making clear he plans to stay in office and denying the claims. He vowed to bring in a sexual assault expert to train his staff.
“The facts are much different than what has been portrayed,” Cuomo said. “I want you to know directly from me that I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances. I am 63 years old. I have lived my entire adult life in public view. That is just not who I am. And that’s not at all who I have ever been.”
President Joe Biden finds allegations about Gov. Andrew Cuomo ‘hard to read,’ White House says
The report – which includes some previously unreported allegations – contends Cuomo and his senior staff retaliated against at least one former employee, fostered a toxic workplace that enabled the harassment to occur and created a hostile work environment.
“I believe these women,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said, calling the claims “substantiated” and “corroborated” but saying it is up to Cuomo whether he resigns. “That decision is ultimately up to the governor of the state of New York.”
In recent weeks, Cuomo had questioned the independence of the investigators. And his office has suggested James, a fellow Democrat, is interested in a run for governor herself, something James has not said publicly.
Cuomo, whose term ends in 2022, has announced he will not seek reelection.
Contributing: Joseph Spector and Jon Campbell. Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison.