9th August, 2021
Agency Reports
Melissa DeRosa, secretary to embattled New York Governor Andrew Cuomo resigned on Sunday in the wake of a damning report that the governor sexually harassed 11 women.
DeRosa was linked in the report to efforts to cover up the governor’s actions and retaliate against one of his accusers.
Her name was mentioned 187 times in the 168-page report that was released on Tuesday.
“Personally, the past 2 years have been emotionally and mentally trying. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such talented colleagues on behalf of our state,” DeRosa said in a statement.
The report found that Cuomo groped, kissed or made suggestive comments to 11 women in violation of the law, prompting local prosecutors to launch a criminal investigation and re-igniting calls for him to resign or be impeached.
Cuomo has thus far rebuffed widespread calls for him to step down, including from fellow Democrats such as President Joe Biden.
But he could soon face impeachment and removal from office by state lawmakers.
The New York State Assembly’s Judiciary Committee has scheduled a meeting to address impeachment proceedings today at 9:30 a.m. EDT (1330 GMT).
Meanwhile, Brittany Commisso, a former assistant to Cuomo, who filed a criminal complaint against him last week on accusations he groped her in the Executive Mansion in Albany has spoken publicly for the first time.
In a televised interview to be broadcast on today, she said the governor “needs to be held accountable.”
Commisso, one of the 11 women Cuomo is accused of sexually harassing, was identified only as “executive assistant #1” in the report.
She told state investigators that Cuomo fondled her breast on one occasion, the most serious allegation the governor faces. She also said he rubbed her backside while taking a photo.
Last week, she filed a criminal complaint with the Albany sheriff’s office. The sheriff, Craig Apple, told reporters on Saturday his agency and the county district attorney’s office would conduct a thorough investigation before determining whether a criminal charge is supported.
In an interview with CBS News and the Albany Times-Union that is scheduled to air on Monday morning, Commisso said she filed the report to hold Cuomo responsible for his actions.
“What he did to me was a crime,” she said in an excerpt released by CBS on Sunday.
“He broke the law.”
Cuomo has denied any wrongdoing, though he has acknowledged that his efforts to be affectionate with people he encounters may have made some people uncomfortable.