Former Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York has come to an agreement with the Department of Justice to settle claims of sexual harassment and retaliation within his administration. According to the DOJ, Cuomo subjected more than a dozen female employees to a sexually hostile work environment, involving non-consensual contact, unwelcome comments, and preferential treatment based on physical appearance. The investigation also revealed that Cuomo’s senior staff failed to address the harassment and even retaliated against four of the women.
Cuomo’s attorney dismissed the agreement as a mere political settlement, arguing that the DOJ’s investigation relied solely on the state Attorney General’s report, which they deemed biased and inaccurate. However, the agreement acknowledges the changes made under Governor Kathy Hochul’s leadership, such as establishing a human resources department and implementing anonymous complaint procedures. Further reforms are deemed necessary, including expanding the HR department and establishing procedures for reporting and investigating complaints against high-ranking employees.
Governor Hochul has expressed her commitment to addressing workplace harassment and welcomed the DOJ’s acknowledgment of the state’s efforts. Cuomo resigned in August 2021 following a report by the state Attorney General detailing harassment allegations from 11 women. The DOJ’s agreement references at least thirteen female employees affected by Cuomo’s behavior. The DOJ probe, initiated after the AG’s report, underscores the ongoing efforts to combat harassment in the workplace at all levels of government.
