Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is facing a lawsuit under the Adult Survivors Act, brought forward by his former executive assistant, Brittany Commisso.
The lawsuit was filed just before the expiration of the Adult Survivors Act, which allows victims to sue regardless of when the alleged abuse occurred.
Commisso, who worked in the Executive Chamber from 2019 to August 2021, claims to have experienced unwelcome physical interactions, including non-consensual touching, as detailed in the legal documents submitted to the Albany Supreme Court.
According to the filing, the situation escalated on December 7, 2020, when Cuomo allegedly attempted to engage in sexual acts with her, which she rejected.
Commisso alleges she faced retaliation following her refusal, including a demotion orchestrated by then-Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul.
This demotion led to reduced responsibilities, loss of overtime pay, and isolation from her colleagues, adversely impacting her career.
The court documents also implicate the state and Judith Mogul, Cuomo’s special counsel, accusing them of contributing to and facilitating Commisso’s mistreatment and demotion.
Cuomo resigned from his position in August 2021 amidst a total of 11 accusations of sexual harassment and the looming possibility of impeachment by the state Legislature.
In March, Charlotte Bennette, another former assistant to Cuomo, filed a lawsuit, echoing her claims from an earlier federal case. She accused Cuomo of making inappropriate comments, hinting at potential sexual harassment investigations related to incidents involving her.
The pending lawsuit further alleges that he inquired intrusively about her sexual life and expressed his loneliness, stating his willingness to date someone over the age of 21.
Cuomo has consistently denied these allegations.
In response to the latest lawsuit, Cuomo’s attorney, Rita Glavin, described Commisso’s lawsuit as a “transparent attempt at a cash grab.” Glavin stated, “Ms. Commisso’s claims are provably false, which is why the Albany District Attorney dismissed the case two years ago after a thorough investigation. We look forward to seeing her in court.”
Under the Adult Survivors Act, enacted in May 2022, state courts have received at least 2,600 claims.
