Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo accuses ex-aide Charlotte Bennett of making false sexual harassment claims against him, impacting his political career.
Former Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has taken legal action by submitting a notice of claim to file a defamation lawsuit against Charlotte Bennett, a former aide who accused him of sexual harassment while he was in office. The notice of claim, filed in New York State Supreme Court, aims to seek compensatory damages from Bennett for what Cuomo’s lawyers claim are false and defamatory statements that have caused harm to Cuomo both personally and professionally.
In 2021, Bennett publicly accused Cuomo of sexual harassment, alleging that he made inappropriate inquiries about her sex life, including questions about her relationships and preferences. Bennett later filed lawsuits against Cuomo in both state and federal court. However, Cuomo vehemently denied the allegations, and Bennett dropped her federal lawsuit just before she was scheduled to be deposed. In a statement, Bennett explained that she decided to drop the lawsuit to prevent Cuomo from using it to harass her and her family.
Debra Katz, Bennett’s lawyer, released a statement on behalf of Bennett, reiterating the claim that Cuomo sexually harassed her. Cuomo’s legal team, consisting of Rita Glavin and Theresa Trzaskoma, argued in the filing that Bennett’s statement was false and defamatory, especially considering her previous public accusations against Cuomo.
The legal battle between Cuomo and Bennett highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding the sexual harassment allegations against the former governor. Cuomo’s decision to pursue a defamation lawsuit against Bennett underscores his efforts to defend his reputation and challenge the accusations made against him. The outcome of this legal dispute will likely have significant implications for both Cuomo and Bennett, as well as for the broader conversation about sexual harassment and accountability in the political sphere.
Source: The NY Times
