NEW YORK — Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday flatly denied accusations that he sexually harassed a former top adviser, calling the allegations “simply not true.”
In a virtual briefing from Albany, the governor said he believes “a woman has the right to come forward and express her opinion,” but that the allegation from ex-aide Lindsey Boylan was inaccurate.
“I heard about the tweet, and what it said about comments that I had made, and it’s just not true,” Cuomo said. “The tweets were simply not true.”
Boylan, who’s a current candidate for Manhattan borough president, did not immediately return a request for comment.
Boylan worked for Cuomo for about four years and rose to become deputy secretary of economic development before leaving in 2018. She came forward via Twitter on Sunday with claims that the governor “sexually harassed me for years.”
“Many saw it, and watched,” she wrote. “I could never anticipate what to expect: Would I be grilled on my work (which was very good) or harassed about my looks. Or would it be both in the same conversation? This was the way for years.”
Boylan, 36, further alleged that “no one would do a damn thing even when they saw it.”
“No one,” she continued. “And I *know* I am not the only woman.”
Boylan’s accusation comes amid buzz that President-elect Joe Biden is considering Cuomo as his pick for attorney general.
But Cuomo said Monday he’s not interested in a Biden Cabinet position
“It’s flattering to be considered for attorney general, it’s a great position,” Cuomo said. “But my job as a New York governor is nowhere near over. I’m flattered to be considered, but that hasn’t changed my thinking.”
