Andrew Cuomo was grilled for ELEVEN HOURS by Attorney General's sexual harassment probe: New York governor 'became combative and accused investigators of being biased during lengthy interview'
Governor Andrew Cuomo faced 11 hours of questioning by the lead investigators in the state attorney general's probe into the sexual harassment allegations against him.
On July 17, Cuomo submitted to questioning under oath by investigators hired by state attorney general Letitia James to lead the probe: Joon H. Kim and Anne L. Clarke.
Few details had emerged from the interview until Monday when it was revealed that the governor had reportedly been combative during the lengthy interview; repeatedly hitting back at Kim and questioning his impartiality.
Cuomo believes Kim is biased after his past investigations into Cuomo and his allies, according to sources who spoke to the New York Times on condition of anonymity.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (pictured Monday) was reportedly questioned for 11 hours by the lead investigators into the sexual harassment probe against him
The state hired two outside lawyers, Joon H. Kim, left, and Anne L. Clark, right, to lead the investigation into Cuomo. Kim and Clark interviewed Cuomo for roughly 11 hours on July 17 during which he cast doubt on Kim's impartiality after previous investigations into Cuomo and his allies
In 2014 Kim, as a prosecutor in the US attorney's office in Manhattan, he had questioned Cuomo over his sudden decision in 2014 to shut down the Moreland Commission, an anticorruption panel that had begun looking into the governor's allies.
When he was US Attorney in 2018, he was also involved in the prosecution of former Cuomo aide Joseph Percoco, who was convicted of corruption in 2018.
The interview with Cuomo likely means that Kim and Clark's investigation is coming to a close, with their findings expected to be released by the end of summer.
Kim, a former US attorney, and Clark, an employment lawyer, had spent roughly four months gathering testimony from women who have accused Cuomo of sexual harassment. The allegations have included unwanted touching, hugs and kisses, as well as inappropriate comments.
It was also revealed that the interview was kept so under wraps that they exited at night via a loading dock at Cuomo's office in midtown Manhattan.
Publicly the governor and his allies have tried to cast doubt on the investigation.
On July 19, two days after the interview, Cuomo suggested that the probe was politically motivated.
Speaking to reporters, Cuomo said that people will be 'shocked' at how it was being handled.
'I'm very eager to get the facts to the people of this state and I think that when they hear the actual facts of what happened and how this situation has been handled I think they will be shocked,' Cuomo said Monday. 'Shocked because at the end of the day, the truth wins and facts win.'
Joe Percoco, former top aide to Cuomo, leaves federal court after being sentenced to six years in prison for corruption charges September 20, 2018. As US Attorney, Kim had been a part of the investigation into him
The sexual harassment investigation is being overseen by Attorney General Letitia James, pictured
He declined to say what was discussed during his questioning, and instead, raised doubts about those leading the investigation.
'I have concerns as to the independence of the reviewers,' he said. 'That's what I've said, and as politics, is this happening in a political system? Yes, that is undeniable.'
When asked why Cuomo appeared to be questioning the reliability of the investigators hired in the probe, he replied, 'Look at who the independent investigators are. Google the independent reviewers and tell me what you see.'
An on the Thursday before the interview Cuomo senior advisor Richard Azzopardi said: 'We have said repeatedly that the governor doesn't want to comment on this review until he has cooperated, but the continued leaks are more evidence of the transparent political motivation of the attorney general's review.'
His statement was the second time he had claimed that James, also a Democrat, and her probe were politically motivated.
In April, Azzopardi blasted James for confirming that her office was also investigating whether Cuomo broke the law by having members of his staff help write and promote his recent memoir 'American Crisis: Leadership Lessons From the Covid-19 Pandemic'.
'Both the comptroller and the attorney general have spoken to people about running for governor and it is unethical to wield criminal referral authority to further political self-interest,' Azzopardi said at the time.
Cuomo hired Rita Glavin (pictured) to represent him as claims of sexual harassment, misconduct and inappropriate behavior started to mount against him earlier this year
Documents filed Friday with the state Board of Elections reveal the New York governor paid lawyer Rita Glavin $111,774 on May 3 for 'professional services' and another $173,098 on June 2
The New York Post reported that Cuomo prepped with his own lawyers for the questioning.
Cuomo, who has publicly denied any wrongdoing, is being represented by Rita Glavin, a former US Department of Justice official.
Cuomo had hired Glavin to represent him as claims of sexual harassment, misconduct and inappropriate behavior started to mount against him earlier this year.
On the day of Cuomo's meeting with Kim and Clark, it was revealed that he used $285,000 of campaign funds to pay Glavin after publicly saying he would not foot his legal bills with campaign money.
During the early days of the pandemic, Cuomo was lauded for his handling of the crisis in the virus epicenter of the world, with his daily press briefings even earning him an Emmy.
But the governor's reputation has unraveled in recent months as nine women have now come forward to accuse him of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior.
Cuomo has repeatedly denied the allegations saying he 'never touched anyone inappropriately' and 'never made any inappropriate advances' but has apologized for making anyone feel 'uncomfortable.'
Meanwhile, he has also been rocked by the COVID-19 nursing home deaths scandal and pointed questions have arisen over the writing of his controversial memoir and the alleged special treatment afforded to his friends and family in the early days of the pandemic.
Investigators were always expected to speak with Cuomo, who said at the start of the probe in March that he would 'fully cooperate.' Cuomo is also facing an impeachment inquiry in the state assembly.
Kim and Clark have gathered testimony from several of the women who have accused him as part of the investigation.
Lindsey Boylan, a former Cuomo aide, came out in December with allegations against him – she further detailed her experience in a February post to Medium
Charlotte Bennett, 25, accused Cuomo of propositioning her in his office last June
She also claimed Cuomo looked down her shirt to compliment her on her necklace during a meeting with him
Anna Ruch has accused Cuomo of inappropriate behavior
Karen Hinton (left), a press aide, and Jessica Bakeman accused Cuomo of inappropriate actions
Cuomo initially apologized and said he 'learned an important lesson' about his behavior around women, though he's since denied he did anything wrong and questioned the motivations of accusers.
He has also rebuffed calls to step aside over the allegations.
Lindsay Boylan, 36, was the first woman to accuse the governor in social media posts back in December.
She worked for Cuomo's team from March 2015 to October 2018.
Boylan claims the governor kissed her on the lips and suggested they play a game of strip poker.
The governor has denied these allegations.
After she came forward with the accusations, the governor's office released her personnel records which included disciplinary recommendations against her and allegations of bullying.
Boylan has said her personnel material was leaked in an effort to smear her.
Since she came forward, at least eight other women have accused the governor of sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior, including former aide Alyssa McGrath, told The New York Times Cuomo had flirted with her, looked down her shirt and commented on her appearance by calling her 'beautiful' in Italian.
Some of Cuomo's top allies in the state legislature have called on the public to await the results of James' investigation and not to undermine her integrity.
State Sen. Gustavo Rivera, a Bronx Democrat, said he trusts the independent investigators selected by James, and said that 'their credibility and professionalism can't be questioned.'
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