A frustrated Andrew Cuomo spent Thursday’s mayoral debate repeatedly trying to bat away sexual harassment accusations that led to his downfall as governor – and his rivals kept lobbing them.
“It was all political,” Cuomo insisted to boos in the John Jay College auditorium.
But City Comptroller Brad Lander wouldn’t let Cuomo wiggle free from the issue that led the ex-governor to resign in disgrace.
He dredged up the sordid accusations against Cuomo and contended the mayoral frontrunner had admitted he called a 25-year-old staffer into his office, asked her whether she had older partner and if she was available.
“Everybody here knows that you sexually harassed women, that you created a toxic work environment,” Lander said to thundering applause.
The comptroller noted many in the debate’s audience were young women attending CUNY. He said one such woman is a valedictorian going to work at the Department of Homeless Services.
“I don’t want to have to tell her, ‘Don’t go work at City Hall because the mayor is a sexual harasser,’” he said.
“Those are just bold-faced lies,” Cuomo shot back. “It’s frightening that you can look at a camera and lie.”
Cuomo argued that reports finding he sexually harassed women were disproven, leading to a combative exchange with Lander.
“This is disqualifying, the man resigned in disgrace,” State Sen. Zellnor Myrie interjected as moderator Errol Louis of NY1 tried to get the debate under control.
Cuomo, when later answering a question about public safety, spoke about accountability.
“I think New Yorkers want accountability,” he said. “They want accountability when people commit crimes. They want accountability when officers use excessive force. They want accountability when top brass violate their office, and they want accountability from elected officials.”
This prompted Lander to interject: “You’ve never taken responsibility for one single thing you’ve done wrong in your entire life.”
“You should try it sometime.”
— Additional reporting by Craig McCarthy
Read the full article here
