Andrew Cuomo and aides use state funds to defend against sexual harassment allegations.
Former Governor Andrew M. Cuomo is facing multiple sexual harassment lawsuits, and his legal defense team has taken aggressive measures to defend him. They have sought records from the accuser’s gynecologist, college, and family therapist in one case, and requested almost four years of phone records from a woman mentioned in another case. Mr. Cuomo even claimed that his phone fell into the ocean to avoid handing it over, but the accuser’s lawyers found another way to access his messages.
Despite his controversial tactics, what may surprise many is that New York taxpayers are funding Mr. Cuomo’s legal defense. The state has already spent approximately $25.4 million on legal fees to represent Mr. Cuomo and his top aides in various civil complaints, criminal investigations, and legislative inquiries. Over half of this amount has been used to defend Mr. Cuomo and his aides in lawsuits filed by three women, with the remainder covering legal representation for previous investigations into workplace misconduct and data manipulation related to nursing home deaths.
As these legal challenges stem from Mr. Cuomo’s actions while he was governor, state law mandates that taxpayers cover the costs of his defense. This situation raises questions about the appropriate use of public funds and the accountability of public officials facing serious allegations.
Source: The NY Times
