A third-term governor from a political dynasty, now accused of being a workplace sex pest.

Andrew Cuomo

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed women, engaged in 'unwelcome and non-consensual touching,' Investigator says.

One by one back in March, 11 former employees stepped up to accuse Governor Cuomo of sexual harassment. Now, a detailed independent investigation highlights the consistency of the allegations and the weight of evidence.

Investigators spoke to nearly 180 people during their five-month investigation including a state trooper assigned to protect the governor.

Anne Clark, Lead Investigator said,  

"She told us that she felt completely violated to have the governor touch her, as she put it, between her chest and her privates." 

In total, 11 women detailed harassment including kissing, groping, and making comments which were deeply humiliating.

"such as the governor repeatedly asking executive assistant number 1 whether she would cheat on her husband. Saying to her, if you were single the things I would do to you," 

Anne Clark, Lead Investigator said. 

The five-month probe found that Governor Cuomo violated federal and state laws whilst creating a hostile and toxic work environment.

New York State Attorney General Letitia James said, 

"The independent investigation has concluded that Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, and in doing so violated federal and state law. Specifically, the investigation found that Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed current and former New York state employees by engaging in unwelcome and non-consensual touching and making numerous offensive comments of a suggestive and sexual nature that created a hostile work environment for women."

Andrew Cuomo has rejected the findings by the state's attorney general.  This is what Mr. Cuomo had to say in response to the report, 

"I want you to know directly from me that i never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances. I am 63 years old, I've lived my entire adult life in public view. That is just not who I am and that's not who I have ever been. Today we are living in a superheated if not toxic political environment, that shouldn't be lost on anyone. Politics and bias are interwoven throughout every aspect of this situation. One would be naive to think otherwise." 

 A montage of images kissing fellow politicians and the public alike was proof he said that tactile is his style but that doesn't make him guilty of sexual harassment.

Two senior democrats, the U.S Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand both New York Democrats have called on the governor to resign.

U.S President Joe Biden, a political ally, addressed the issue head-on at the White House and said that if the investigation find Mr. Cuomo had acted inappropriately, he would call for his resignation.

The Governor is now portraying himself as a victim that he has been misunderstood that some of the allegations are simply made up and he says he will not resign.

Andrew Cuomo can only hope time and the distraction of the pandemic are on his side.