Andrew Cuomo's accusers "vindicated and relieved," attorney says
NEW YORK (WABC) -- An attorney for two women who accused New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment said her clients were "vindicated and relieved that Cuomo will no longer be in a position of power over anyone."
Mariann Wang represents Alyssa McGrath and Virginia Limmiatis.
Executive assistant McGrath said Cuomo made inappropriate comments, including commenting on her neckline after staring down her loose shirt, regularly asking about her marital status and asking whether she would tell on another aide if she were to cheat on her husband.
Limmiatis is an energy company worker who said Cuomo ran his fingers on the lettering that ran across the chest of her shirt when they met in a rope line at a 2017 event. He then told her he was going to say there was a spider on her shoulder and proceeded to brush her chest with his hand.
Wang castigated what she described as Cuomo's efforts to "gaslight and attack the brave women who came forward," which ultimately "apparently served no purpose."
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The first woman to publicly accuse New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has tweeted that she was in awe of the "other women who risked everything to come forward."
Lindsey Boylan was a former senior aide to Cuomo and went public with allegations of sexual harassment and bullying by him in tweets and an online post earlier this year.
"From the beginning, I simply asked that the Governor stop his abusive behavior. It became abundantly clear he was unable to do that, instead attacking and blaming victims until the end. It is a tragedy that so many stood by and watched these abuses happen," Lindsey Boylan tweeted. "My hope always has been that this will make it safer for other women to report their own harassment and abuse. I will continue the fight to make that happen."
Attorney Debra Katz, representing Charlotte Bennett, also applauded the Attorney General's investigation and the "courageous" decisions of other women to come forward.
"The Governor's decision to resign is a testament to the growing power of women's voices since the beginning of the #MeToo movement. It underscores that sexual harassment is no longer acceptable - no matter what office the harasser holds," Katz wrote. "The Governor's decision to resign is not the end of our reckoning with sexual harassment, but it is an important step in the right direction."
In announcing his resignation as governor, Cuomo said he "deeply, deeply" apologized for what he said he meant as "endearing gestures" but that he said women found "dated."
He called some of the allegations fabricated, forcefully denying he touched anyone inappropriately. But he acknowledged making some aides uncomfortable with comments he said he intended as playful.
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"I take full responsibility for my actions," he said. "I have been too familiar with people...In my mind, I've never crossed the line with anyone, but I didn't realize the extent to which the line has been redrawn."
Another accuser who worked in the governor's office tweeted a meme in response to Cuomo's resignation. Ana Liss posted without comment a short clip from the reality show "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," reading in part, "Go home," "Go away," and "Bye."
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Cuomo released a pre-recorded statement saying that he never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances.
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