Asked If He Could Kiss Me: Third Harassment Allegation Against Andrew Cuomo

Andrew Cuomo harassment case: Yet another woman came forward to accuse New York Governor Andrew Cuomo of inappropriate conduct on Monday. According to Anna Ruch, during a wedding reception in New York City in September 2019, Cuomo had made unwanted advances at her and "asked if he could kiss her." A photo of the alleged incident has surfaced online and is being shared on social media. So far, three women, including two former aides, have accused Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment.

Ruch told the New York Times on Monday that the governor allegedly had placed his hand on her bare lower back and called her "aggressive" when she resisted his advances. "I was so confused and shocked and embarrassed," Ruch claimed. The revelation came on the same day New York Attorney General Letitia James announced her investigation into previous allegations of sexual harassment against Cuomo.

Breaking: A third woman has accused Cuomo of over-the-line behavior. Incredibly, a photographer caught the moment, and this look on her face: https://t.co/NnKCs1Y7WF pic.twitter.com/Smr4hNiKKp

— Jodi Kantor (@jodikantor) March 2, 2021

In a statement on Sunday, Cuomo officially acknowledged that some of his behaviour toward his staff may have been “insensitive”. He went on to suggest that the women, his two former aides, who accused him of sexual harassment, had "misinterpreted" him. He then formally referred himself for investigation. He also said he was "truly sorry" if his conduct had ever been "misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation."

Two former staffers have accused Cuomo of unwanted sexual advances. Lindsey Boylan, a former special adviser to the governor, had accused him of creating a toxic workplace culture that includes bullying and sexual harassment, saying that she resigned in 2018 after he kissed her during a meeting without consent.

Following that, a second ex-employee accused Cuomo of sexual harassment on February 27. Charlotte Bennett, who previously worked as a health policy adviser in the Democratic governor’s administration until November, said that the Governor asked her inappropriate questions about her sex life.

Speaking on the allegations levied against him, Cuomo said, “I now understand that my interactions may have been insensitive or too personal and that some of my comments, given my position, made others feel in ways I never intended.” He also added, “I acknowledge some of the things I have said have been misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation. To the extent anyone felt that way, I am truly sorry about that.”

Feature Image Credit: Jodi Kantor/Twitter