Andrew Cuomo as Potential Attorney General Stirs Up Controversy After Sexual Harassment Allegations

Reports recently emerged that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is on presidential-elect Joe Biden’s short list to become the nation’s next Attorney General. That possibility looks a little less certain as Cuomo now faces allegations of sexual harassment.

Of course, accusations that Cuomo’s policies resulted in the deaths of roughly 6,400 elderly nursing home patients are generally ignored by the mainstream media.

Governor Cuomo has been a constant presence in the news this year, as the state of New York was initially hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic. His press conferences in particular became so prominent that he received an Emmy award for it, and he published a book American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic.

But many New Yorkers feel that his leadership has been less than perfect, especially regarding an initial order that forced nursing homes to accept COVID positive patients and house them with healthy patients. It’s alleged that thousands of elderly men and women died because of that order.

The mainstream media seems mostly content to ignore that story and praise Cuomo for his leadership. However, allegations of sexual harassment have emerged that could derail any hopes the governor has.

The allegations are coming from a former aide of Cuomo’s Lindsey Boylan, who is now running for Manhattan borough president. In a series of tweets, she states that she experienced sexual harassment from the current governor.

“There are fewer things more scary than giving this man, who exists without ethics, even more control. I saw how he wielded power for years. He takes advantage of people, including me. I hope Joe Biden and Kamala Harris don’t do this,” Boylan initially tweeted.

She goes on in a long Twitter thread to explain, “Yes, @NYGovCuomo sexually harassed me for years. Many saw it and watched. I could never anticipate what to expect: would I be grilled on my work (which was very good) or harassed about my looks. Or would it be both in the same conversation? This was the way for years.

“Not knowing what to expect what’s [sic] the most upsetting part aside from knowing that no one would do a damn thing even when they saw it. No one. And I *know* I am not the only woman.

“I’m angry to be put in this situation at all. That because I am a woman, I can work hard my whole life to better myself and help others and yet still fall victim as countless women over the generations have. Mostly silently. I hate that some men, like @NYGovCuomo abuse their power.”

She has also described her work experience in the governor’s office as “beyond toxic” and “endlessly dispiriting.”

In her social media statements, she stated emphatically that she “has no interest in talking to journalists.”

Governor Cuomo has denied her allegations in a press conference on Monday.

“Look, I fought for and I believe a woman has the right to come forward and express her opinion and express issues and concerns that she has,” Cuomo said. “But it’s just not true.”

Reportedly, in what could be a sign of retaliation, Cuomo has released the private personnel documents of Boylan. As political activist Rafael Shimunov explains on Twitter, “Cuomo releasing private personnel documents of the woman who accused him of sexual harassment moments prior isn’t just retaliation, it’s a warning. This is the man who opened a corruption commission then closed it when the evidence led to him, he has a lot to hide.”

It’s understandable that Boylan’s comments have made waves and could potentially tank Cuomo’s name on the Attorney General shortlist, but shouldn’t his executive order, which likely led to the deaths of thousands of elderly men and women, also not remove him from consideration? Shouldn’t the Biden administration be equally concerned about that as well?

Apparently not.

Most of the initial news reports that listed Cuomo as a potential pick failed to even mention the nursing home situation.

Senior Fox News meteorologist Janice Dean who lost both of her in-laws within about a week due to COVID, blames Cuomo’s executive order for their deaths and states on Twitter her belief that Cuomo is “a terrible governor.”

Others being considered for the role include former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, outgoing Alabama Senator Doug Jones, and judge Merrick Garland, whom Barack Obama nominated to the Supreme Court in 2016. Merrick was not confirmed after Republicans refused to vote before the results of the election.

Photo from POOL/REUTERS