NYT: Dozens of former/current staff describe Cuomo's office as chaotic, unprofessional, and toxic

[pnwmom]

They interviewed 35 women and many described an atmosphere where they felt judged on appearance over performance.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/12/nyregion/cuomo-women-toxic-workplace.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage§ion=New%20York

Almost all the current and former employees spoke on the condition of anonymity because they feared retaliation from Mr. Cuomo, who is known for threatening critics and whose office has in recent weeks released personnel information about accusers.

“People are frankly still recovering from their experience working there, and they’re terrified of speaking out,” said State Senator Alessandra Biaggi, a former aide and a fierce critic.

SNIP

The governor, she said, began paying extra attention to her and would often stop at her desk to talk, once kissing her hand. Others took note: At least three colleagues, including a top aide at the time, joked about how the governor found her attractive, she said.

SNIP

Susan Del Percio, a special adviser from 2014 to 2015, said she never saw sexual harassment, though she saw “an intense environment, a demanding environment, a harsh environment.”

Still, many women who did not experience harassment said they believed the women who have come forward in recent weeks. Several said the allegations did not surprise them.

[Me.]

1. Well Yes, I'm Certainly Going To Take The NY Times Word For It

especially after the witch hunt they did on HRC and the chop they just gave to Biden.

Ps. Biaggi has long wanted to run for Governor.

[Just_Vote_Dem]

2. +1000 n/t

[Midnight Writer]

4. NYT was also the driver behind the Whitewater "scandal", giving it front page coverage daily.

[Cha]

5. And, beating the drums for the War on Irag.

[uponit7771]

10. +1, not only that they're talking more about Cuomo than HR1. I don't take any outlet seriously that

... gives a governor without investigated accusations more time than our union surviving the MAGA Cult running it.

[dalton99a]

12. +1. Never forget

[Me.]

15. And THis...

[Me.]

14. This...

[musette_sf]

6. + 1

[dalton99a]

16. They practically manufactured and pushed the Hillary email 'scandal' throughout the 2016 campaign

[Me.]

17. Quite

and quoting the article from Susan Del Percio..."she never saw sexual harassment, though she saw “an intense environment, a demanding environment, a harsh environment"

The issue here is sexual harassment/misconduct.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

9. lol

[Raftergirl]

7. My H works for the Governor

Last edited Fri Mar 12, 2021, 03:47 PM - Edit history (1)

and the office culture is exactly how Del Percio describes. He retired in August but has gone back part time as an “internal consultant.”. He worked 24/7. He only agreed to go back if he was guaranteed no weekends/no nights/no phone calls/emails 24 hours a day. I thought he was going to drop dead during the first three months of COVID crises.

We were in the middle of nowhere in Iceland and the Governor tracked him down.

Burn out is quite common.

[pnwmom]

11. It doesn't seem that Cuomo is getting much support from those who know him the best.

That is telling.

[redstatebluegirl]

13. He has no friends, he has lots of people who are scared of him, but no friends.

A guy like that had better live a clean life, if you have that many enemys at some point they are going to come for you and you have no cover.

[Raftergirl]

18. That would be because he's

an asshole and a bully. The people who work for him, like my H, know that all too well. It’s not a secret in Albany.

But you also have to know how to talk to him. My H can tell him no Governor we can’t do such and such in a way that doesn’t get him riled up.

All that being said - he’s accomplished a lot for New Yorkers. Way more than the other Governors my H worked for - going all the way back to Mario.

[redstatebluegirl]

23. That does not excuse his behavior.

We cannot call out republicans for it if we condone it.

[pnwmom]

25. And his being an asshole and a bully is why so many Democrats in the state

are willing to cut him loose now.

[uponit7771]

8. REALLY ?! Anyone notice the media talking more about Cuomo than HR1 and kGQP voter suppression!?

This is so fucked up, give HR1 as much time as Cuomo and I wont believe this is a text book pile on with rating seeking asshole editors.

[pnwmom]

20. They know he treated women in a sexist, demeaning way, so they're not surprised

he may have taken it a step further.

[uponit7771]

21. I wonder if this was the majority feeling of those who worked for him? If not then that should go

... for Cuomo but if so then it should go against.

"we" could be two or three people.

Seeing there are too many calls asking for Cuomo quitting before an investigation I'll wait for the investigation to complete.

The M$M has spent more time on Cuomo than HR1 which could literally save our union from people who sympathize with insurrectionist

[pnwmom]

22. They talked to at least 35 former and current staffers, not just two or three.

How should an investigation be carried out among current staffers, whose jobs depend on the person being investigated?

That's a clear conflict of interest. He should step aside and let the investigation go on unimpeded.

[uponit7771]

24. That's right but never said most of the people they talked to felt that way, an empirical ...

... point in the story IMHO

[pnwmom]

26. Why would it have to be the majority who felt that way? Probably a lot of people,

especially men but also some women, don't even notice when men behave this way.

Just reading posts here on DU, it's just taken for granted. No big deal. Don't even notice the polluted air when it's all we breathe every day.

[uponit7771]

27. That's true, it could be a plurality. Either way its something empirical vs the "some say" writing

... we've seen before.