Ex-governor Andrew Cuomo slapped with federal lawsuit by former aide Charlotte Bennett for 'gender discrimination'
NEW YORK, NEW YORK: Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is facing a potentially damaging federal lawsuit filed by none other than his former aide, Charlotte Bennett. The politician who had to resign after being accused of sexual harassment by Bennett is now facing a civil rights lawsuit "to remedy discrimination based on gender in employment." The other defendants who are named are Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa, Chief of Staff Jill DesRosiers, and Special Counsel, Judith Mogul.
The lawsuit statement read, “Ms Bennett was a Briefer or Senior Briefer and Executive Assistant to Defendant Cuomo from May 2019 to June 2020. Throughout her employment as Defendant Cuomo’s Executive Assistant, the then-Governor subjected her to sexualized comments about her appearance, assigned her humiliating and demeaning tasks, and beginning in early June 2020, subjected her to invasive and unwanted questions about her personal life, romantic and sexual relationships, and history as a survivor of sexual assault.”
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“He told her he was 'lonely,' wanted a girlfriend who lived in Albany, and was willing to date someone over the age of 21 years old. At the time of that conversation, and as Defendant Cuomo knew, Ms. Bennett was 25 years old and living with other Executive Chamber staffers in an Albany hotel. Defendant Cuomo’s comments and behavior were unwelcome and Ms. Bennett reasonably perceived them to constitute a sexual advance.”
The lawsuit demands compensation, which includes punitive damages, litigation costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, and interest, all in unmentioned dollar currency. Bennett said, “My career as a public servant was abruptly cut short because of Governor Cuomo’s and his top aides’ sexual harassment and retaliation against me after I complained about Governor Cuomo’s misconduct. They must all be held accountable for their actions.”
Also, Bennett’s attorney alleged, “Those around him enabled him, placated him, and covered up his egregious behavior, managing out women who complained about his misconduct rather than insisting that their complaints be investigated as the law required. He and his aides repeatedly violated the law, and they must be held accountable.” Reacting to the lawsuit, Cuomo’s attorney Glavin in return said in a statement to the New York Times, “(he) has always said he didn’t harass anyone.”