Andrew Cuomo, a former New York governor who resigned in August over sexual abuse scandals, will not face criminal prosecution on an accusation that he fondled an aide, after a prosecutor said today he dropped the case because he couldn’t prove it. .
Three days before the former Democratic governor answered the misdemeanor charge in court, Albany County District Attorney David Soares said he was asking for a criminal complaint the county sheriff filed in October to be dismissed.
“While we found the plaintiff in this case cooperative and credible, after reviewing all the available evidence, we concluded that we cannot meet our burden at trial,” Prosecutor Soares said in a statement, adding that he was “deeply concerned” by the allegation.
Soares, a Democrat, had previously suggested that a woman’s complaint that she had been forcibly touched on the chest by Cuomo was problematic.
“While many have an opinion on the allegations against the former governor, the Albany District Attorney’s Office is the only one that has the burden of proving the elements of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt,” Soares said Monday.
Cuomo, who has vehemently denied the allegation, had no immediate comment on the story, which was first reported by The Albany Times-Union newspaper .
The complaint did not name the woman, but she later identified herself as Brittany Commisso, one of Cuomo’s executive assistants before he resigned in August amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
Within hours of his resignation, Cuomo was stripped of the also contested Emmy award he received in November 2020 for his televised press conferences on the COVID-19 pandemic.
His younger brother, Chris Cuomo, was recently fired as a CNN host after state attorney Letitia James revealed documents indicating that he had become involved in the defense of the then-governor when he was accused of abuse of power over several female employees in early 2021
The reality of the now former governor represents a stark contrast after he cultivated a high popularity during the confinement that led him to dream of a comfortable new re-election in 2022 . Even his allies spoke of him having the potential to reach the White House , at least as vice president.
But little by little questions began to surface: at the end of 2020 it was learned that he had limited his contacts with the federal government to discuss solutions, in the midst of his fights with then-controversial President Donald Trump, even though NY was by far the most affected state. due to infections, deaths and economic losses.
Breaking News: Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo won’t be prosecuted for allegedly groping a female former aide in 2020. The Albany district attorney described the aide, Brittany Commisso, as credible, but added that proving her allegation would be difficult. https://t.co/adSqRnpLUV
— The New York Times (@nytimes) January 4, 2022