New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has been accused of sexually harassing multiple women, subjecting them to unwanted kissing and groping, in a damning independent investigation.
The state’s Attorney General Letitia James said Cuomo had violated state and federal laws.
In response, Cuomo denied touching anyone inappropriately and vowed to continue as governor.
Several state lawmakers, including fellow Democrats, say he should resign.
The investigation was commissioned last year after several women came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against the governor.
Investigators spent five months speaking to nearly 200 people, including staff members and some of those who made complaints against him. Tens of thousands of documents, texts and pictures were reviewed as part of the inquiry.
“The independent investigation has concluded that Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women and in doing so violated federal and state law,” James said.
Cuomo, she said, had engaged in “unwelcome and non-consensual touching and making numerous offensive comments”.
Cuomo ‘ran finger down state trooper’s neck’
In one case, Cuomo and his staff retaliated against a former employee who accused him of wrongdoing, according to James.
Other women described being groped, kissed or sitting on the governor’s lap.
Cuomo allegedly reached under the blouse of an assistant to touch her breast, while another aide said he asked her if she was open to sex with an older man.
The governor stood behind a state trooper in a lift, running his finger down her neck and saying “hey you”, according to investigators.
On top of the allegations of harassment, Cuomo is accused of presiding over a “hostile and toxic work environment”.
Joon Kim, who co-led the investigation, said: “It was a culture where you could not say no to the governor and if you upset him or his senior staff you’d be written off, cast aside or worse.”
In his statement, Cuomo said: “I want you to know directly from me that I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances.” (BBC)
