- The Washington Times - Friday, March 19, 2021

A current aide of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is the latest woman to accuse the three-term Democrat of sexual harassment, in a report published on Friday.

Alyssa McGrath, 33, who still works in the governor’s office, told The New York Times that the 63-year-old Mr. Cuomo has made suggestive comments toward her.

She said the governor asked about her divorce and glanced down her shirt, commenting on a necklace she was wearing. He also told her in Italian that she is beautiful.

“He has a way of making you feel very comfortable around him, almost like you’re his friend,” Ms. McGrath told the paper. “But then, you walk away from the encounter or conversation in your head going, ’I can’t believe I just had that interaction with the governor of New York.’”

A lawyer for Mr. Cuomo said none of Ms. McGrath’s allegations are “remarkable.”

“The governor has greeted men and women with hugs and a kiss on the cheek, forehead, or hand,” said attorney Rita Galvin. “Yes, he has posed for photographs with his arm around them.

Yes, he uses Italian phrases like ’ciao bella.’ None of this is remarkable, although it may be old-fashioned. He has made clear that he has never made inappropriate advances or inappropriately touched anyone.”

Ms. McGrath is at least the eighth woman to accuse the governor of harassment. He has denied all the allegations, although he has apologized if he made anyone feel uncomfortable.

The governor is refusing calls from multiple elected officials in both parties to resign. He’s asking the public to await the outcome of an independent investigation by the state attorney general’s office.

The state Assembly last week also started an impeachment investigation. 

• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.

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