New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio blasted Governor Andrew Cuomo as “disgusting” and “creepy” over recent sexual harassment claims and revealed he’s seen his fellow Democrat’s “abusive” behavior in the past.
Cuomo has been hit with two allegations of sexual harassment by former aides.
Lindsey Boylan claims that he forcibly kissed her on the lips and suggested “let’s play strip poker,” while another report indicates Charlotte Bennett had been asked by the governor if she “had ever been with an older man.”
Cuomo apologized for his actions and said he simply felt he was “being playful” and that he was “joking.”
De Blasio, however, doesn’t see these “sickening” allegations as a laughing matter, which he made clear during an interview with New York City radio station Hot 97.
“It sickened me, it sickened me,” de Blasio said of the reports. “The thought of a powerful man trying to take advantage of his power, intimidate a young woman and just the sense that he was treating her … like she was his property. Just disgusting, creepy.”
“Sexual harassment is not funny,” added the New York City mayor. “Who the hell tries to explain that by saying I was just joking around?”
De Blasio Goes After Cuomo For Sexual Harassment Claims
Perhaps smelling blood in the water, Mayor De Blasio also ripped Cuomo over other scandals, including his mistreatment of reporters and colleagues, as well as a nursing home scandal which saw his actions lead to thousands of senior deaths during the pandemic.
“I’ve seen him be abusive in a way that would not be accepted by anyone in leadership,” the mayor said.
He also touched on State Assemblyman Ron Kim, a Democrat who claims Cuomo called him and tried to talk him into issuing a statement covering for the nursing home scandal, and when that didn’t work, vowed to ruin Kim’s career.
Kim alleged that in a phone conversation Cuomo stated “we’re in this business together and we don’t cross certain lines,” adding that the assemblyman “hadn’t seen his wrath” and that “I can destroy you.”
“What Ron Kim went through, having his life you know, having his career threatened. I mean again just look at this pattern of abuse,” de Blasio said at a press briefing. “It’s unacceptable.”
De Blasio called for a “full investigation” into the allegations and predicted, “more truth will come out.”
He also called for an investigation into the nursing home matter.
“We need a full investigation of the nursing home issue where thousands of people died, information was covered up on purpose, and we still don’t know if our seniors are safe.”
Bruh RT @Forbes: JUST IN: Mayor Bill de Blasio predicts more people will come out against Gov. Andrew Cuomo: “I don’t know why he has done these things he’s done over the years, but he has.” pic.twitter.com/xUMfC8oTuc
— Rich Kid (@DaRichKid) March 1, 2021
RELATED: NY Journalist Accuses Cuomo Of ‘Terrorizing’ Him For Doing His Job As A Reporter
National Governors Association Remains Silent
Despite Governor Cuomo’s sexual harassment claims being called on for further scrutiny by all sides of the political aisle, one organization has remained curiously quiet.
The National Governors Association (NGA) has refused to comment on the allegations brought forth by Boylan and Bennett.
Perhaps that’s because the organization is chaired by … Andrew Cuomo.
Fox News recently asked the NGA if they had anything to say about Cuomo’s sexual harassment scandal.
NGA press secretary James Nash responded succinctly, “We do not.”
.@PressSec on Biden appearing yesterday with Cuomo at a National Governors Association event, which Cuomo heads.
On Boylan case, Psaki said: “Their voice should be heard, not silenced. And any allegation should be reviewed”
https://t.co/FiiV7efzeE pic.twitter.com/o9fGPoVu27— Joseph Spector (@GannettAlbany) February 26, 2021
Past statements surfaced showing Cuomo more than willing to comment on Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018, who at that time as a nominee was facing specious claims of sexual misconduct from years earlier.
Cuomo demanded Kavanaugh take a polygraph to combat the claims of sexual harassment.
On Sunday, de Blasio called on the state legislature to revoke Cuomo’s emergency powers due to the ongoing scandals.
