Cuomo's alleged harassment victim: she will not allow him to 'rewrite history'

[ADK]

https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Cuomo-alleged-harassment-victim-says-she-will-not-15990229.php?IPID=Times-Union-HP-CP-Spotlight

Bennett's statement was issued by her attorney, Debra S. Katz, who offered her own analysis as well. Katz also represented Christine Blasey Ford when she said before Congress that then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her decades earlier.

"He was not acting as a mentor and his remarks were not misunderstood by Ms. Bennett. He was abusing his power over her for sex. This is textbook sexual harassment," Katz said. "“If, as the governor now acknowledges, he talked to young women who worked for his administration in this manner, the problem is a systemic one and the (New York) attorney general must investigate whether other women were subjected to a sexually hostile work environment."

This is brutal.

Bennetts full statement:

“The Governor has refused to acknowledge or take responsibility for his predatory behavior. As we know, abusers — particularly those with tremendous amounts of power — are often repeat offenders who engage in manipulative tactics to diminish allegations, blame victims, deny wrongdoing and escape consequences. It took the governor 24 hours and significant backlash to allow for a truly independent investigation. These are not the actions of someone who simply feels misunderstood; they are the actions of an individual who wields his power to avoid justice.

“In a clear effort to perform a sensitivity that he simply does not possess, the governor has implied that he wants his supporters to stand down and respect my decision to speak out. In coming forward I fully expected to be attacked by those who reflexively question the honesty or motivation of those who report sexual harassment. I am not deterred by these voices. Instead, I have focused on the overwhelming love and support I have received from friends and strangers alike. Thank you for holding space for me and lifting me up in what has been one of the most vulnerable moments of my life.

“Coming forward was an excruciating decision. I decided to share my story because I had faith that I would be supported and believed. This is often not the case. Sharing my experience was only possible because of past survivors who stood up and told their stories. I hope that my story helps other survivors feel like they can stand in their truth.

“To survivors reading this: I believe you. I see you. I hear you. Your story is valid, your pain is real and your anger is justified. I am sending you my love, support and solidarity. You are carrying an unbelievable burden — one that takes time and energy to untangle. Each journey, including my own, is a long and winding one. No two are the same. That said, I believe we can empower each other. For anyone who needs to hear this, know I am holding space for you, too.

“To the governor’s survivors: I am here. Lindsey (Boylan) is here. You do not have to say a single word. But if you choose to speak your truth, we will be standing with you. I promise."

[abqtommy]

1. I'm open to finding out things, like taking a peek at the accusers' bank records and

spending habits. In the end justice must prevail.

[ADK]

2. Please.

Bennett is a 25 year old woman just out of college. Cuomo admitted he was inappropriate. It’s hard enough for victims of harassment by powerful individuals to come forward. Do you really want to discourage it even more? Just because there is a (D) after the alleged harasser’s name? This young woman should be complemented for her bravery, and not attacked by narrow-minded partisans.

[abqtommy]

5. Dealing with allegations is one thing. Dealing with facts is another. I'm not attacking

anyone. Let the facts lead us to justice.

[ADK]

11. And the hits keep coming.

This time with a photo!

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/01/nyregion/cuomo-harassment-anna-ruch.html

The governor was working the room after toasting the newlyweds, and when he came upon Ms. Ruch, now 33, she thanked him for his kind words about her friends. But what happened next instantly unsettled her: Mr. Cuomo put his hand on Ms. Ruch’s bare lower back, she said in an interview on Monday.

When she removed his hand with her own, Ms. Ruch recalled, the governor remarked that she seemed “aggressive” and placed his hands on her cheeks. He asked if he could kiss her, loudly enough for a friend standing nearby to hear. Ms. Ruch was bewildered by the entreaty, she said, and pulled away as the governor drew closer.

“I was so confused and shocked and embarrassed,” said Ms. Ruch, whose recollection was corroborated by the friend, contemporaneous text messages and photographs from the event. “I turned my head away and didn’t have words in that moment.”

[Kingofalldems]

13. So your verdict is guilty?

[beaglelover]

22. Looks like she is smiling in that picture.

[Rustyeye77]

7. Here's a novel idea... accept his apology

It’s now a game... “Don’t accept his apology... screw his life”

[Kingofalldems]

9. No one attacked her.

[Rustyeye77]

14. Of course they did.

If anyone dares question her or her motives, then it’s an attack.

[brush]

10. Yes, all of that. But investigate, investigate, investigate. Of course her financials should be...

looked into. Especially after the Tara Reid fiasco. Not to mention the Al Franken piling on, with some of those accusers turning out not to be credible.

Investigate. If there's nothing to hide, so be it.

[Elessar Zappa]

3. That would discourage women from coming forward.

[Rustyeye77]

17. Here's an idea... tell the person you didn't like what he said

And let him apologize

Oh that’s right... no redemption

[uponit7771]

19. +1, maybe I'm missing something here but this sounds about what I've seen happen to

... good results; let people know when they're stepping out of line.

I just remember Franken and that he should still be senator, I'll wait till the investigations get done

[forthemiddle]

12. Now up to three accusers of sexual harassment

Lindsey Borland
Charolette Bennett
Reporter Beth Cefalu ( I want to see you eat that whole sausage)

He has also a few cases of bullying reporters, and even a State Legislator (in that case a male).

It sounds to me like he is a man that uses his position to be an a**hole, and he shouldn’t get away with it.

When it crosses the line into sexual innuendos, and he uses his position to get away with it, that’s never acceptable. I don’t give a rats ass about the other party, either we hold our own to the #METOO standard, or we hold no one to it.

[ADK]

15. Four.

New one moments ago. Posted elsewhere in the thread.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/01/nyregion/cuomo-harassment-anna-ruch.html

With a photo too.

[Kingofalldems]

16. Interesting thread.

[forthemiddle]

18. And the hits keep coming.....

I know lots of posters are thinking it’s just piling on, but the truth is that in all cases it’s really hard to be the first accuser, after all look how she has been treated. It’s much easer to say “that happened to me too, I’m not alone.”

I sometimes think it has become to easy to ruin someone’s reputation just by an accusation, but either we believe all (on both sides of the political aisle) or we believe none. When it was Kavanaugh it was all, when it’s one of ours......

[uponit7771]

20. It is piling on, we saw the same with Franken and are rationally skeptical

[Rustyeye77]

21. It's called the " ME TOO " syndrome

“ Me too...I was shocked, confused and hurt....and I was waiting all these months to say something”

[Budi]

4. Ummm, Ms Boylen the other Staffers in the same small room with you all said it never happened.

They are all "Here as well".
So how's the campaign aspirations going?
Just because Jerry Nadler won by 67-20, don't let that defeat stop you .

Campaign funds have to be raised & name recognition is everything nowdays.

ALL "YOUR FELLOW STAFFERS WERE THERE TOO".
Good luck in your interview with the sp investigator.

I'm not on your side if this is a lie to advance your campaign name on behalf of another.
Then you suck as much as your target

[Polly Hennessey]

6. No one is attacking her. No, she

should not be complimented for her bravery. Last I heard she has made accusations only. Let an independent investigation take place then we will know if the accusations have merit.

[Rustyeye77]

8. Here is the result

“He harassed me”

“ I don’t remember that”