Legal professionals for the ladies whom Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo was identified to have sexually harassed termed on him to resign on Tuesday, saying that a report introduced by investigators was “damning” and “devastating.”
Debra Katz, a lawyer for Charlotte Bennett, who accused the governor of sexual harassment in February, said in an interview that the investigators had accomplished a thorough career and referred to as on Mr. Cuomo to “do the appropriate factor and resign.”
“His habits was egregious, and he does not are worthy of the position he now holds,” she reported.
She observed that, in accordance to the report, the governor had violated a regulation that he himself experienced signed in 2019, shifting the conventional for what constituted felony sexual harassment.
“He regularly violated the law that he signed to fantastic fanfare offering what he said was the most protecting legislation in the United States,” Ms. Katz said.
Mariann Wang, a attorney for Alyssa McGrath and Virginia Limmiatis, stated the report showed that Mr. Cuomo must not be in a placement of power. Ms. Limmiatis accused the governor of obtaining touched her inappropriately Ms. McGrath explained that he experienced produced inappropriate comments about her private lifestyle.
“He harassed and demeaned women of all ages, essentially managing them like objects, and if they dared to complain or not participate, he punished them brutally,” Ms. Wang mentioned.
On Tuesday afternoon, Rita Glavin, a law firm for Mr. Cuomo, unveiled a in depth response to the report, contacting it “unfair” and “inaccurate.”
“Regrettably, as the results in the report clearly show, the investigators have directed an totally biased investigation and willfully overlooked evidence inconsistent with the narrative they have sought to weave,” her reaction mentioned.
Ms. Glavin’s response ran for extra than 80 webpages and included one particular show that confirmed photographs of other politicians — together with President Biden and previous President Barack Obama — kissing and hugging other folks.
Letitia James, the New York State legal professional typical, did not say on Tuesday if her office prepared to make a prison referral, indicating only that its function in the investigation was in excess of.
Questioned about the chance that Mr. Cuomo could possibly not facial area legal costs, Ms. Wang explained the absence of felony fees would not advise that the conduct explained was “acceptable or lawful.”
“The actuality that he’s not becoming pursued criminally does not necessarily mean that it is not very severe and a basis for him to step down,” she said.
Lawyers for Mr. Cuomo’s employees also reacted to the report on Tuesday. Sean Hecker, who represents Melissa DeRosa, 1 of the governor’s best aides, claimed in a statement that Ms. DeRosa had noted allegations of sexual harassment to the governor’s lawyer and “deferred to them for their judgment relating to acceptable abide by-up.”