Embattled Democratic New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has been accused of sexual harassment by a former aide.
In a Wednesday blog post, the former deputy secretary for economic development for Cuomo, Lindsey Boylan, said the governor touched her, tried to kiss her, and asked her to play “strip poker.”
Today I am telling my story. I never planned to share the details of my experience working in the Cuomo administration, but I am doing so now in hopes that it may make it easier for others to speak their own truth. https://t.co/n1Lcc6Ac66
— Lindsey Boylan (@LindseyBoylan) February 24, 2021
Accuser Boylan Claims She Was ‘Reprimanded’ After She Tried To Speak Out’
Boylan made her accusations on Medium, including screenshots of emails and texts.
Cuomo’s former aide alleges that much of the governor’s top female staff members “normalized” the bad behavior.
Boylan said she tried to “speak up” after she claimed Cuomo kissed her without consent, but she was “reprimanded.”
“After that, my fears worsened,” Boylan wrote on Medium. “I came to work nauseous every day.”
“My relationship with his senior team — mostly women — grew hostile after I started speaking up for myself,” she added. “I was reprimanded and told to get in line by his top aides, but I could no longer ignore it.”
Then she quit.
Boylan wrote, “On September 26, 2018, I sent a mass email informing staff members of my resignation.”
Cuomo is a coward who has abused his powers. His pattern of abuse and harassment toward his aides, journalists, lawmakers, and critiques is despicable. As a lawmaker, I have the duty to hold him accountable. I will not stand down. I will stand with Lindsey Boylan.
— Ron T. Kim (@rontkim) February 24, 2021
Sexual Harassment Accusation Comes Amid Nursing Home Scandal
The accusation against Cuomo comes in the midst of an FBI investigation over allegations that the governor’s administration covered up data that showed more seniors died in nursing homes than had originally been revealed, due to Cuomo’s executive order that retirement communities accept COVID-19 positive people.
This scandal was originally reported by the New York Post.
As a result of the report, New York state lawmakers are calling for Cuomo’s emergency powers that have been used during the COVID-19 pandemic to be removed.
Since March 1,2020, the state of New York has seen more than 13,000 confirmed and presumed-positive coronavirus deaths of nursing home residents.
As a result of Boylan’s accusations, at least one member of Congress has called for his resignation.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is a 'criminal sexual predator' and 'must immediately resign', says NY @RepStefanik
Ex-Cuomo aide Lindsey Boylan alleges Cuomo 'kissed me on the lips' and said 'Let's play strip poker' https://t.co/L3aFO4GA2d pic.twitter.com/WKiyxOBMav
— Steven Nelson (@stevennelson10) February 24, 2021
Boylan: ‘He used intimidation to silence his critics’
Boylan outlined the level of sexual harassment experienced in Cuomo’s administration in her Medium post.
“Governor Andrew Cuomo has created a culture within his administration where sexual harassment and bullying is so pervasive that it is not only condoned but expected,” she wrote.
“His inappropriate behavior toward women was an affirmation that he liked you, that you must be doing something right,” Boylan added.
“He used intimidation to silence his critics,” she claimed. “And if you dared to speak up, you would face consequences.”