Andrew Cuomo accused of sexual harassment by former aide in new legal filing

NEW YORK — Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is being sued by a former aide who claims he sexually harassed her while he was still in office.

Cuomo’s former executive assistant, Brittany Commisso, filed the case against the former governor before the state Supreme Court in Albany on Wednesday. The presentation, a three-page citation, occurred just before the expiration of claims under the Adult Survivors Acta special law that gave victims of sexual abuse a one-year window for claims that would otherwise be barred by time limits.

Commisso was one of at least 11 women who accused Cuomo of sexual misconduct, leading to his abrupt resignation in 2021 in a scandal of the #MeToo era that marked a serious fall for the Democrat who has denied the accusations.

Commisso’s lawsuit alleges sexual harassment and unwanted touching by Cuomo and says she was punished for reporting the incidents. The case seeks monetary damages. Her accusations led to a criminal charge against Cuomo who was finally dismissed last year at the request of a county prosecutor who described her as credible but said he couldn’t prove the case.

Cuomo’s lawyer, Rita M. Glavin, criticized the latest filing.

“Commisso’s claims are demonstrably false, which is why the Albany County District Attorney dismissed the case two years ago after a thorough investigation. Commisso’s transparent attempt to grab cash will fail. We look forward to seeing her in court” Glavin said in a statement.

The Adult Survivors Act has paved the way for a wave of lawsuits against famous men accused of sexual misconduct, and a number of cases were filed in recent weeks before it expired. Over the past year, it has led to more than 2,500 lawsuits, including cases against former President Donald Trump, hip hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and comedian and actor Russell Brand.

The Associated Press does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted unless they choose to tell their stories publicly, as Commisso has done in interviews.