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De Blasio ‘sickened’ by Cuomo sexual harassment claims

Published

3 years ago

March 1, 2021

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) went after Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) over the sexual harassment allegations made against him and for the nursing home scandal turning both sides of the aisle against him.

During a Monday interview with New York City radio station Hot 97, the mayor was asked about the recent allegations made by two women against the embattled Cuomo, someone widely considered to be an in-state rival of his.

“It sickened me, it sickened me,” de Blasio said. “The thought of a powerful man trying to take advantage of his power, intimidate a young woman and just the sense that he was treating her like — again these are allegations and we need a full investigation — but if that was what truly happened it was like he was treating her like she was his property.”

“Just disgusting, creepy.”

"It sickened me, it sickened me," de Blasio says about sexual harassment allegations against Cuomo. "The thought of a powerful man tryin to take advantage of his power, intimidate a young woman…"
— Madina Touré (@madinatoure) March 1, 2021

De Blasio also slammed the governor’s statement issued on Sunday about the sexual harassment accusations, in which Cuomo claimed he “sometimes” thought he was “being playful” at work and “made jokes” he believed to be “funny.”

“Sexual harassment is not funny,” the mayor said. “Who the hell tries to explain that by saying I was just joking around?”

“The two women who have come forward did a great service to everyone. It’s not easy. I feel for them. It’s very tough to be in that spotlight,” de Blasio also said. “By coming forward, they’re saying you can’t accept this. They’re also protecting the next woman or next person that it could happen to.”

“I’ve seen him be abusive in a way that would not be accepted by anyone in leadership,” the mayor went on to say during the interview, adding that he had heard the governor use similar language that he allegedly used with Assemblyman Ron Kim during a phone call.

Regarding the scandal involving Cuomo’s administration allegedly covering up the number of coronavirus-related nursing home deaths from federal prosecutors, de Blasio said, “Looking at the way the state handled this, it’s hard to feel assured that our seniors are safe going forward. If campaign contributions were part of why the state as lax […] toward nursing homes, that truth has to come out, too.”

The mayor also said that there needs to be an investigation into whether Cuomo was receiving campaign contributions from the nursing home industry.

You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @Douglas_P_Braff.

Related Topics:Andrew Cuomo bill de blasio New York nursing homes Sexual harassment

Featured

Rep. Patrick McHenry Announces Retirement, Adding to Congressional Exodus

Published

3 days ago

December 5, 2023

Alexander Carter

Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., has declared that he will not seek re-election, becoming the latest in a growing list of lawmakers departing from Congress. McHenry, a close ally of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, stated that he believes “there is a season for everything,” signaling the end of his tenure in the House. Having served since 2005, McHenry is the 37th member of Congress to announce they won’t seek re-election in 2024.

In a statement, McHenry reflected on the significance of the House of Representatives in the American political landscape, calling it the “center of our American republic.” He acknowledged the concerns about the future of the institution due to multiple departures but expressed confidence that new leaders would emerge and guide the House through its next phase.

The departure of McHenry and others comes against the backdrop of political shifts and challenges within the Republican Party. The GOP has faced setbacks in recent elections, including fallout from the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Internal strife and disagreements, exemplified by the rebellion against McCarthy, have characterized the party’s dynamics. The GOP’s approval rating stands at 30%, with a disapproval rating of 66%, reflecting the challenges and divisions within the party.

As McHenry steps aside, questions loom over the fate of open seats in the upcoming election. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report identifies five open House seats as potential Democrat pickup opportunities, while none are listed for the GOP. The departures raise concerns about the party’s unity and ability to navigate the evolving political landscape.

With a total of 20 departing Democratic legislators and 10 Republicans, the changing composition of Congress adds complexity to the political dynamics leading up to the 2024 elections. As McHenry emphasizes a hopeful view of the House’s future, the evolving political landscape will determine the impact of these departures on the balance of power in Congress.